"13th C. Stunning Stone Gargoyle, Hybrid Monster With Demon Head & Frog's Body, Roman Period"
Haute époque Roman period, circa XIIIth cty
Superb and rare stone carved corner gargoyle, 13th century
The gargoyle represents a demon came directly from medieval fantasy bestiary: its head of a monster or demonic creature, is matched with a body of a frog or toad. The body is flattened, laid out like a spider, with the 4 legs apart, as if ready to pounce, while the face of the monster is particularly expressive.
Both its condition, its small size this time (!), its subject and its quality of sculpture are remarkable.
To be compared with 3 others Roman / medieval gragoyles posted recently in my Proantic website, also of exceptional quality. It should be noted that these sculptures come from the same private collection (4 out of 6, the others having been sold quickly !), on a rather unusual thema, given the extreme rarity of these gargoyles from Middle Ages and their incredible condition.
This is here the last piece of this atypical and exciting collection
Sizes 52 cm length * 43 cm width and * 23 cm height !!!
Weight approx 60kg
"Etymologically, the word gargouille comes from the Greek gargareôn meaning "throat" and "gouille" from the old French goule: " mouth". It was in 13th century that the first gargoyles appeared. They were only simple wide gutters, made up of two parts: one serving as a channel and the other as a cover. Subsequently, the architects multiply them, in order to divide the waterfalls.They then become real decorative elements.They represent animals, mythical creatures, chimerical beings, frightening anthropomorphic creatures or humans with an obscene or amoral attitude. Gargoyles had a triple function. Firstly, their practical function as a gutter ensuring the evacuation of rainwater in small streams, far from the surrounding walls of buildings, thus avoiding undermining the integrity of the walls. Their second function was decorative. Their third function was symbolic. They played an apotropaic role in warding off evil. Their menacing aspect, their grimaces and their ferocity were intended to chase away evil. They thus protected the churches while warning the faithful against temptations from the outside..."
To anticipate any unnecessary question, it is neither concrete nor a modern reconstituted stone, but a rare witness of the Middle Ages of major interest.
Le Magazine de PROANTIC
TRÉSORS Magazine
Rivista Artiquariato
