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Pilaster capital with medusa head. (©Archaeological Exploration of Sardis/President and Fellows of Harvard College)
Pilaster Capital with Gorgon Head
- Date
- 2nd or 3rd C. AD, Roman
- Sardis or Museum Inv. No.
- S64.053
- Material
- Marble, Stone
- Object Type
- Sculpture
- Sculpture Type
- Capital, Mythological Figure
- Site
- Sardis
- Sector
- HoB
- Trench
- MTW
- B-Grid Coordinates
- W24 / S147 *104
- Findspot
- HoB
- Description
The head of Medusa is in the center, flanked by scrolled tendrils and acanthus leaves. The gorgon has wild disheveled hair, which waves to both sides from the center of the head. Curls are effectively shown by several layers of hair, coupled with modeling and incision. Snake ends follow the curve of her chin and cross each other, but are not knotted. The facial features are shallow. Eyes are open but have no incised details. Brows are furrowed. The nose is broad, the mouth open with small, full, sensuous lips. There is a dimple below the lower lip.
By careful modeling and drilling (especially of the mouth and corners of the nose), much expression and character has been obtained. The leaves are heavily drilled with long runs. A date in the 2nd or 3rd C. seems likely on stylistic grounds.
- Condition
White marble.
Top molding badly chipped. Some damage to tendrils.
- Dimensions
- H. 0.293; W. at top 0.47, at bottom 0.295; Th. 0.05.
- Comments
- See Also
- Bibliography
- This is the same size and format as Cat. 195 (Fig. 345). Although the two are not identical, they clearly come from the same set of pilasters. The findspot is not far from the late Roman colonnaded street, portions of which have been found in HoB and PN (BASOR182, 15-17, fig. 17; 170, 18, fig. 13). I would like to suggest that these two pilaster capitals may have decorated one of the buildings lining the street. The Medusa with snakes under the chin may be compared with Cat. 202 (Fig. 357) dated early 3rd C. A.D.
- Author
- NHR