Antefix, Pottery, Etruscan
Production date
Circa 4th Century BCE
Country
Italy
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Object detail
Description
Antefix, in the form of a female face with head and shoulders. Hair is elaborately styled and woman is wearing a dress. She is set against a scroll-like decorative element in the background. Mould made, using a course buff coloured clay fabric with red inclusions. Traces of white surface paint. Mould made.
Classification
ARCHAEOLOGY Etruscan pottery
Production date
Circa 4th Century BCE
Production place
Measurements
H178mm x W185mm x D160mm
Media/Materials description
Pottery-made of fired clay, complete or fragmented
Inclusions to make the clay less sticky, reduce shrinkage, increase resistance to thermal shock and strength prior to firing.
Traces of paint
Inclusions to make the clay less sticky, reduce shrinkage, increase resistance to thermal shock and strength prior to firing.
Traces of paint
History and use
This antefix (from the Latin, meaning to attach before) was once attached to the roofline of an Etruscan temple, to conceal the end of tiled rooves and provide protection to the structure. They also had a more symbolic function. Looking over the town, this female antefix was the guardian of the boundary between inside and outside of the temple. Originally, the flesh was painted cream, the hair, eyes and eyebrows painted black, and headpiece and shell embellishments painted red and black.
Registration number
H11271
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