Greek/South Italian, Taranto / c. 525–480 BCE
Antefix with Satyr Face
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Antefix with Satyr Face as sculpture (Greek/South Italian, Taranto · c. 525–480 BCE).
Despite the connections between satyrs and Dionysos, not all satyr-head antefixes belonged to Dionysian buildings.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this sculpture as terracotta.
The museum's collection notes: This frontal satyr face, easily recognized by its snub nose and equine ears, served numerous purposes. As an antefix, it capped the open end of a roof tile, preventing wind, water, and pests from entering the building below. With its naturalistic mold-made features, enhanced with pigment and perhaps additional stamped and carved details, the antefix would also have provided striking visual ornament, especially when seen in long rows high above.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtAntefix with Satyr FaceOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.