Antefix

Etruscan antefix from Vulci, 1th century BCE.

Etruscan antefix from Cerveteri, 6th century BCE.

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.

Antefixes in position

Etymology

From Latin antefxa, pl. of antefxum, something fastened in front, from antefxus, fastened in front: ante-, ante- + fxus, fastened, past participle of fgere, to fasten.

References

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.