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Antefix

A antefix designed by Viollet-le-Duc. A: A antefix in the corner of a ledge. B: Profile of the hip. C: his plan, with the position of tile-channel ledges.

The antefix (nf, comes from the Latin before, and the French is a pattern placed on roofs or eaves of a building at the end of a row of tiles or a projection of a roof, for example to decorate or hide.

In the Roman era , the churches , the antefixes were generally shaped cross , placed at different heights of the apse and transept.

Tracks in ancient Rome

Already among the Etruscans antefixes adorned the roofs of houses (reconstruction of a roof in the Antiquarium di Poggio Civitate or the Villa Giulia in Rome) or temples. They were often maenads or sea fans, and had therefore usually a function apotropaic (protective).