Title: Ancient Roman Hand Carved Stone Mosaic Gorgon Head Of Medusa
Shipping: $29.00
Artist: N/A
Period: Antiquity
History: N/A
Origin: N/A
Condition: Museum Quality
Item Date: 100 AD to 300 AD
Item ID: 6411
Roman Mosaic Depicting the Head of Medusa Mediterranean: Origin: Mediterranean Circa: 100 AD to 300 AD Dimensions:33" (83.8cm) high Collection: Classical Medium: Mosaic Condition: Restored: The coiling snakes are vividly depicted on this mosaic, writhing around the head of the stern faced Medusa. These serpents are done in darker tones and are quite realistic. Medusa's face is 'fleshy' and full, her eyes are cleverly done in a way to suggest both death and watchfulness; or perhaps vigilance from the netherworld. Her pursed lips positioned close to the nose appear as if about to speak. Medusa was one of the Gorgons killed by Perseus who presented the severed head to the goddess Athena as a gift. She is one of the most popular themes in ancient art. This mosaic has been reconstructed using ancient and modern materials.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medusa
In Greek mythology Medusa "guardian, protectress" was a monster, a Gorgon, generally described as having the face of a hideous human female with living venomous snakes in place of hair. Gazing directly into her eyes would turn onlookers to stone. Most sources describe her as the daughter of Phorcys and Ceto, though the author Hyginus (Fabulae, 151) interposes a generation and gives Medusa another chthonic pair as parents. Medusa was beheaded by the hero Perseus, who thereafter used her head as a weapon until he gave it to the goddess Athena to place on her shield. In classical antiquity the image of the head of Medusa appeared in the evil-averting device known as the Gorgoneion.
