Height: 28cm Width: 28cm Depth to wall: 12.5cm

One of the most iconic characters in ancient Greek mythology.

The beautiful mortal virgin Medusa, whose name means guardian or protectress, caught the eye of Poseidon, who had his way with her in a temple of Athena, who then took revenge upon the young woman by transforming her beautiful hair into hissing venomous snakes. And she was so hideously ugly that anyone who looked at her would be petrified. Literally turned into stone.

A mortal Gorgon, unlike her two immortal Gorgon sisters, she was vulnerable. The hero Perseus managed to kill her by looking at her reflection in a mirrored shield which he had been given by Athena. Perseus then gave Medusa’s head to Athena, who placed it in the centre of her aegis (her divine breastplate) where, known as the Gorgoneion, it became an apotropaic protective symbol—it was believed to ward off evil and enemies. On Athena’s aegis and shield, it represents divine power, protection, and fearlessness.

Medusa was pregnant by Poseidon when Perseus beheaded her... so at the point of her death, Pegasus the winged horse, and Chrysaor (a giant wielding a golden sword) sprang from her body.

(aside: Natalie Haynes' 'Divine Might' is wonderful)

The bronze pieces are cast in Greece using the traditional lost wax method. As nothing is mass-produced, there will inevitably be slight variations in texture, patina, and colour. No two pieces are ever the same. If mounted on a marble base, it will be a black or very dark grey base. There may be a variation of some millimetres in the dimensions of the base from time to time.

It's All Greek is proud to have been working with the Semitekolo family foundry since 1999. It has been a privilege to handle these gorgeous pieces and to sell them to customers all over the world.