Gorgon Head Antefix, perhaps from Taranto 400 BC

This Gorgon Head Antefix, possibly from Taranto, was created in Ancient Greece out of terracotta and paint. The use of terracotta speaks volumes. Unlike marble sculpture, which declared wealth and power, terracotta was readily available. The relatively low cost of materials suggests a wider distribution and access to art within the community. The gorgon's face, rendered with expressive features and painted details, emerges from this humble material. Its creation likely involved a mold for the basic shape, allowing for repeated production. The hand-applied paint then provided individual character, transforming a basic form into a powerful symbol, used for protection, decoration, and perhaps a touch of the theatrical, on buildings. By understanding the materials and manufacturing processes behind it, we appreciate how craft and function were intertwined in ancient Greek society.