Getty Museum

Clipeus with the Head of Medusa

Date

300–100 B.C.

Medium

Terracotta with a layer of calcite (?) slip and polychromy (black, pink, light blue, red)

Culture

Greek (Sicilian)

Department

Sculpture

Institution

Getty Museum

This clipeus depicts a winged head of Medusa. The head projects from the plaque; around its neck hang a torque and a knotted snake. Three over-lapping layers of scales radiate below, in the form of a stylized aegis. Two holes for suspension above the head suggest that the object functioned as an oscillum. Traces of polychromy remain on the surface.

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