Plaque, Raised Relief, Classical, Medusa Head, Greek Mythology, Carved Wood, Antique, c. 1900

Medusa Head
Carved mahogany plaque
American, English, or Continental: Late 19th/Early 20th Century
12 inches high; 14 inches wide, 1 inches deep
$600

A wooden oval plaque in the neoclassical taste of the head of Medusa, carved in detailed, smooth, low relief. The classical goddess is shown facing front with two snakes in her hair, their tails intertwined under her chin. The plaque has a simple carved border molding.

In ancient Greek mythology, Medusa was a human female monster with living venomous snakes in her hair. Her face was so terrible that all who beheld it turned to stone. The hero Perseus was sent by King Polydectes on an almost hopeless quest to behead her, which he did with the assistance of the gods. With the head, which retained its magical powers, he rescued Andromeda and turned the king and his guests to stone.

Condition: Generally very good with the usual overall wear commensurate with age.

Reference:

Room, Adrian, ed. Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. New York: Harper Collins, 1998. pp. 689, 819.