[Image not available]
Three-dimensional approximation of the vase
Overview: exterior
| Collection: | London, British Museum |
| Summary: | Gorgon's Mask |
| Ware: | Attic Red Figure |
| Painter: | Attributed to the Group of London E 445 |
| Context: | Corneto |
| Date: | ca. 460 BC |
| Dimensions: | H 0.416m |
| Primary Citation: | |
| Shape: | Hydria |
| Ceramic Phase: | Severe Style |
| Beazley Number: | 202205 |
| Period: | Late Archaic/Early Classical |
Decoration Description:
The gorgoneion was an apotropaic symbol attached to Athena's aegis. Here the gorgoneion within a circle with a diameter of 6 1/8 inches which has been incised in the leather-hard clay and left reserved. Around the head are twenty-eight spiraliform snakes with half facing each way. Her obliquely placed eyes are close together with the arched brows almost touching at the center. A rather porcine nose is placed high on the face to make room for the over-sized mouth. The gorgon's gaping grin has two protruding white tusks above and below between which are regularly spaced white teeth and an enormous protruding tongue in added red. Her black hair is tightly bunched in curls, forming a frame around her jowly face. She wears circular earrings.
Collection History:
Blacas Collection. From Tarquinia, according to Beazley, ARV2, 218
Sources Used:
Other Bibliography: