Description:

Ancient Greece, Archaic period, ca. 6th century BCE. A frightening pottery rondel depicting the relief of a gorgoneion or the head of a gorgon - a mythical, beast-like female creature, usually with venomous snakes for hair like Medusa. Known for transforming her viewers to stone by her gaze alone, here she is depicted with a broad visage, fierce fangs, a protruding tongue, and elongated eyes, all crowned by a coiffure of serpentine coils. Gorgoneions were believed to hold apotropaic powers that could fend off evil and bad luck and thus were worn as pendants and used to adorn everything from chariots to tombs. This gorgoneion may be intended to represent Medusa, most famous of the gorgons. Size: 2.4" W x 2.3" H (6.1 cm x 5.8 cm); 3.7" H (9.4 cm) on included custom stand.

Her terrifying characteristics, such as the fangs and petrifying eyes, correspond with 6th century representations of the beast, who tended to lose her more frightening attributes throughout the following century and had sweetened features by the Late Classic period.

Cf. Metropolitan Museum of Art, 10.210.44.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#175777

  • Condition: Verso has been repainted and possible areas of light restoration to peripheries. Some minor nicks and abrasions to surface, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with impressive preservation of detail.

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November 17, 2022 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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