: The most famous motif, featuring wide eyes, fangs, and a protruding tongue to terrify evil spirits away from sacred spaces.
: For a more elegant look, many Greek and Roman buildings used stylized palm fronds or floral patterns, which symbolized growth and eternal life. From Terracotta to Marble
Common designs you’ll see on these "roof guardians" include: antefix
Displays early Greek and Etruscan pieces dating back to the 6th century BCE.
: It provides a rhythmic, decorative border that breaks up the repetition of plain roof tiles. Myth and Magic: The Apotropaic Power : The most famous motif, featuring wide eyes,
: It seals the open ends of "cover tiles" ( imbrices ), preventing rain, wind, and even pests from entering the wooden roof structure and causing rot.
You can find stunning examples of original antefixes at several world-class institutions: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Art museum ClosedNew York, NY, United States : It provides a rhythmic, decorative border that
An antefix (from the Latin antefigere , meaning "to fasten before") is a vertical block positioned at the eaves of a tiled roof. Its primary job is to :