Ca. 100-300 AD. A terracotta plaque fragment, adorned with a striking relief of a gryphon's back part. The gryphon, a mythical creature with the head and wings of an eagle and the body of a lion, was a popular motif in ancient art and held significant symbolic value in the Greco-Roman world. In this fragment, the gryphon's muscular hindquarters are depicted with remarkable attention to detail, and the sharpness of its talons is rendered with a deft hand. The gryphon's powerful presence is palpable, its ferocity and majesty captured in the bold relief that stands in stark contrast against the delicate terracotta material. Terracotta plaques were a popular medium for decorative and commemorative art in ancient Rome, valued for their affordability, versatility, and durability. They were used in a variety of contexts, from religious and funerary monuments to private residences and public spaces. In many cases, terracotta plaques like this gryphon fragment were part of a larger decorative program, complementing frescoes, mosaics, and other forms of artistic expression.Size: L:105mm / W:120mm ; 465gProvenance: Private London collection, B.A.; formerly in pre-2000 European collection.