Gorgoneion Plaque

Description

Probably meant to decorate the outside of a wooden coffin or other tomb furniture, this small mold-made terracotta plaque is one of two in the collection (click here for the other). Both bear gorgoneia, or frontal Gorgon faces, with snaky hair, sharp teeth, and protruding tongue, perhaps meant to ward off evils. A bit of fingerprint survives on the reverse, likely from its ancient maker.

Provenance

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Gorgoneion Plaque

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c. 525–475 BCE

Accession Number

1996.34

Medium

terracotta

Dimensions

Overall: 6.9 x 6.9 cm (2 11/16 x 2 11/16 in.)

Classification

Sculpture

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

Gift of Robert Haber