Monumental Limestone Relief with Medusa

Culture: Roman/Levant

Period: Late 2nd century A.D.

Material: Limestone

Dimensions: 43.2 cm x 70.4 cm

Price: 28 000 Euro

Ref: 3737

Provenance: From the collection of the former director of the Austrian National Bank Dr. Ewald Nowotny with the inventory number A0051. Acquired on 7 June 1992 from the Galerie Antike Kunst Socowi in Vienna. Accompanied by a collection paper.

Condition: Unrestored

Description: Monumental, very expressive limestone relief with the head of Medusa, likely once part of a temple wall decoration. Medusa, who had apotropaic functions and should turn her viewer to stone, has large, deeply set eyes, which once held gemstones. Above bulging brows, which curve wing-like outwards. Her face is round, the nose large and broader than the mouth with its thick lips. The hair cascades in the front into the forehead and on the sides stands away in thick, messy curls imitating snakes. Medusa's wings emerge on both sides from behind the upper half of the head, the plumage accentuated in three rows. Traces of the knotted snake bodies are still visible beneath the head. On the left side, an acanthus leave is preserved, which was part of the floral ornaments that flanked Medusa's head. The large wall relief follows with its depiction the famous Medusa from Didyma, which was part of the frieze on the architrave of the Temple of Apollo and is considered as one of the most beautiful examples of its kind. From Levant. Mounted.