Antefix
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An antefix (from Latin antefigere, to fasten before) is a vertical block which terminates the covering tiles of the roof of a tiled roof. In grand buildings the face of each stone ante-fix was richly carved, often with the anthemion ornament. In less grand buildings moulded ceramic ante-fixae, usually terracotta, might be decorated with figures or other ornament, especially in the Roman period. By this time they were found on many large buildings, including private houses.
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Antefixes in position
Etymology
From Latin antefixa, pl. of antefixum, something fastened in front, from antefixus, fastened in front: ante-, ante- and fixus, fastened, past participle of figere, to fasten.[1]
References
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This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Ante-fixae". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
External links
Media related to Antefixes at Wikimedia Commons
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