Antefix Site

: Don't let the plain clay in museums fool you—ancient antefixes were originally painted in bold reds, blues, and whites to make them pop against the skyline.

The Hidden Guardians of Ancient Rooflines: A Guide to the Antefix antefix

While grand imperial buildings might use richly carved , the majority of antefixes were made from molded terracotta . : Don't let the plain clay in museums

: Because they were mold-made, they could be produced in large quantities, allowing even private houses to have a touch of decorative protection. Where to See Them Today Where to See Them Today An antefix (from

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 :

Common designs you’ll see on these "roof guardians" include: