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Kamarina, Sicily, c. 420 - 405 B.C.
A Gorgoneion was a horror-creating apotropaic Gorgon head pendant. The name derives from the Greek word gorgós, which means "dreadful." The Gorgons were three sisters who had hair of living, venomous snakes, and a horrifying face that turned those who saw it to stone. Stheno and Euryale were immortal, but their sister Medusa was not, and was slain by Perseus. Zeus, Athena, Hellenistic kings and Roman emperors wore Gorgoneion for protection. Images of the Gorgons were also put upon objects and buildings for protection. A Gorgon image is at the center of the pediment of the temple at Corfu, the oldest stone pediment in Greece from about 600 B.C.GB60437. Bronze onkia, Westermark-Jenkins, type A, 182; Calciati III, p. 54, 18; SNG Munchen 411 - 414; HGC 2 552 (R1); SNG ANS -; SNG Cop -, gVF, well centered, some corrosion, small edge split, Kamarina (near Scoglitti, Sicily, Italy) mint, weight 1.516g, maximum diameter 12.6mm, die axis 180o, c. 420 - 405 B.C.; obverse facing head of Medusa (gorgoneion), neat hair tied with hair band, s-shaped brows, eyes looking right; reverse KAMA (upward on left), owl standing right on right leg, head facing, grasping lizard with head down in left talon, pellet (mark of value) in exergue, no control marks; SOLD
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