Sarcophagus Panel with Medusa and Theater Masks

140-170 A.D.
Marble front panel from a "garland sarcophagus"
The Getty Villa, Pacific Palisades, California

The head of Medusa, thought to ward off evil, is flanked by theater masks and Cupids. At the left and right corners are winged Victory figures holding palm branches, the symbol of victory:



Read more about the palm branch as a symbol.

Photographed at the Getty Villa by Richard Stracke, shared under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license.