Medusa's Gaze

"The Tazza Farnese" is a captivating history of a remarkable ancient object, a banded agate libation bowl adorned with Medusa’s head and Egyptian gods, tracing its extraordinary journey through over two thousand years of cultural and historical moments. From its likely origins in Ptolemaic Egypt to its travels across Rome, Constantinople, and beyond, the bowl has inspired, alarmed, and fascinated people across eras—serving as a symbol of power, art, and intrigue. Marina Belozerskaya provides a vivid account of its adventures, making this more than a story of an artifact—it’s a captivating voyage through history itself.