The decorative ornament MEDUSA | Greek mythology as decoration | Medusa ornament as ornamental carving

The decorative ornament MEDUSA

The decorative ornament MEDUSA

Greek mythology as decoration, Medusa

-A particularly common decorative ornament is the head of Medusa.

It can be executed in several ways: in stone, wood and iron and often it is depicted on a shield but occasionally I also encounter it without this background. As an independent ornament it can be in the form of a sculpture or a bas relief carving.

Who is Medusa then?

According to Greek mythology, Medusa is a daughter of the sea gods Phorcys and his sister Ceto. Together with her sisters Stheno and Euryale they were depicted as women with tusks, hands of bronze, golden wings and snakes instead of hair and were called the gorgonians. Medusa was the only one who was mortal.

Museum in Lille (FR) | Medusa

Originally Medusa was a beautiful girl until she was caught by Pallas Athens in one of her temples while there Medusa made love to Poseidon and thus disconsecrated the temple. According to Ovid, Medusa was raped by Poseidon. Nevertheless, Pallas Athens became so angry that she turned Medusa into a monster with snakes like hair, tusks of a pig, glowing eyes and a tongue that stuck out of the mouth. A cosmetic metamorphosis that made the sight of Medusa so terrible that everyone who looked at her turned into stone.

Medusa was finally beheaded by the hero Perseus, who had received some help from Athens, and as a thank you Perseus offered her the head of Medusa and Athens placed the head on her shield in order to petrify enemies with it.

The shepherd's hour with Poseidon was not without consequences and when Peseus cut off the head of Medusa, Medusa gave birth to the winged horse Pegasus together with the giant Chrysaor.

Because of the frightening sight of Medusa's head, this motif is often used as an ornament on doors and facades of buildings or in the possession of a king.

Here are some examples of this decorative ornament

that I've photographed for many years.

Left shield, the ornament MEDUSA | Castle of Versailles

Statue of Louis XIV in Versailles

Detail statue Louis XIV | MEDUSA |

Castle of Versailles

Le Grand Trianon in Versailles | Compositions of ornaments

On the left in the picture a shield with Medusa

At the TEFAF in Maastricht |

Medusa depicted on a shield

Antica 2018 Namur Antiques Fair | Medusa in bronze

Medusa, Richelieu Library in Paris |

Facade decoration in stone

  

The decorative ornament MEDUSA

Medusa depicted on a cannon | Paris Les Invalides

Medusa | Antica Namur Antiques Fair Belgium, 2019

Greek mythology as decoration | Fontainebleau

The decorative ornament MEDUSA |

Greek mythology as decoration | Fontainebleau

Medusa depicted in a war trophy |

Paris Carnavalet Museum

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The City of GHENT | Architectural detail in WOOD and STONE | Ornamental Detail in the streets of Ghent (Belgium)

Ghent, Europe’s Best Kept Secret

The undiscovered Flemish jewel of a city boasts an opera house, a handful of museums, even more ancient churches, and countless bridges spanning the two rivers that wind themselves through the city. The true joy of the town is to be found whiling away an afternoon in an outdoor café. Whether your wrapped under blankets sipping a coffee in the winter or sunning yourself in the springtime with a cold Belgium brew, you will fit in with the locals if you simply enjoy the great atmosphere this town offers. If possible, find a seat on the Graslei, a scenic canal spot in the centre of town, with a great view on the many bridges, grand houses and medieval buildings.

Alternatively, hop on a bike and explore the nearby Patershol district with a small labyrinth of charming cobblestone streets, the towering Gravensteen Castle and Unesco recognised bell tower. The laid back atmosphere of this liveable, lovable city means enjoying the vibrant nightlight of a university town then quaffing cava at the flower market the following Sunday morning.

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A HORN OF ABUNDANCE | THE CORNUCOPIA AS ORNAMENT | Ornament horn of abundance carved in wood | Horn of Plenty

Cornucopia carved in wood

The Horn of Abundance, 
Cornucopia 
(in Latin cornucopiae)

The Horn of Abundance (Cornucopia) made in wood, as an ornament.

The Horn of Abundance is a symbol of abundance, wealth and food; a big horn-like tube full with fruits, vegetables, flowers, nuts and other symbols, like coins. It comes from the classical antiquity. In our contemporary-western culture it does not have any other symbolism, but in North America it is mainly associated with Thanksgiving

Statue in the gardens of Versailles

Classical Mythology, The Cornucopia.

Classic Mythology offers multiple explanations for the origin of the Cornucopia. One of the best known explanations includes the birth and care of the infant Zeus, who needed to be hidden from his father Kronus to avoid being devouring. In a cave of Mount Ida, on the island of Crete, baby Zeus was cared a number of different divine attendants, including the goat of Amalthea, who fed him with her milk.  
The infant Zeus, de future king of the gods, had unusual skills and strength, and when playing with his nanny (Amalthea), he accidentally broke one of her horns. He gave the horn a very special power: the horn would fill with anything that his owner would wish. Later, the horn was given to the daughters from the king and from that moment the horn became a symbol of abundance. 
The one, who possessed it, would never suffer hunger.  

In the gardens of Versailles

In another myth, the horn of abundance was made when Heracles (Roman Hercules), who wrestled with the god of the rivers Achelous, and during the fight Achelous wrenched off one of his horns; River gods were sometimes depicted as horned. The naiads (nymphs) took care of the horn and filled it with fragrant flowers. Later, the goddess of abundance Copia took the horn as her possession, giving it the name of cornucopia.  

Heraldry and two cornucopia as an ornament | Streets of Heidelberg (Germany)

The cornucopia became the attribute of several Greek and Roman gods, particularly those related with harvest, prosperity and spiritual abundance, such as personifications of the Earth (Gaia or Terra) the nymph Maia and Fortuna.


Contemporary representation

The uses and Symbolism of the Horn of Abundance (Cornucopia)
In the modern interpretation the Horn of Abundance is typical hollow, horn-shaped wicker basket, filled with various kinds of festive fruits and vegetables. 
In North America, the Cornucopia is associated with Thanksgiving and harvest. The Horn of Abundance is also the name of an annual Wine and Food Festival held in November in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada.

 

Great seal of North Carolina

Two cornucopias are shown in the flag of the state of Idaho. The Great Seal of North Carolina shows the figure of Liberty –standing- and Plenty –setting down- with a Horn of Abundance in her left hand.
 
Colombia, Panama, Peru and Venezuela all have a cornucopia in their arms shield.
The Cornucopia is also often used as a symbol in the heraldry.

Great seal of Idaho

The Cornucopia as ornament.
Making a Horn of Abundance in wood, stone or clay.

In my many visits to museums, castles or antiques fairs, I have encountered very often with decorative ornaments in architecture, or as an ornament, or in stone vases, statues or fountains.  
In furniture and joinery the Horn of Abundance can be produce as a decorative element in a composition of ornaments, used in the wood paneled walls or sculpture boiserie (carved wood paneling) of interiors. The thickness of the ornament in a boiserie is always greater than in the furniture’s from Liege.

Therefore, it is easier to create a Cornucopia in wood, in a composition with depth and character. Because the Horn of Abundance requires a minimum thickness of wood, and in order to allow the character of the ornament to show off, they will be present more frequently in the form of a crest or pediment (fronton) in furniture.  

So, it is an ornament, which, when you really begin to pay attention, is use very much in the ornamentation and in the most varied applications.

 Translation Lis Alvarado

Two horns of Abundance carved in wood and gilded | Versailles

Cornucopia and the figure as part of a cabinet, Musée des Arts Décoratifs Paris

A horn of Abundance with flowers | Gardens of Versailles

Carving a horn of Abundance | The cornucopia as ornament

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