Attachments, such as this fine example, would have been mounted on a piece of furniture or a jewellery box. It was a custom for the Ancient Romans, especially the wealthy, to have highly decorated everyday life objects, such as jewellery boxes or toiletries tables. The subjects could vary between portraits of individuals, to depictions of gods, nature, or animals.
The gorgon Medusa, best known for her hair comprised of snakes and her mythological death at the hands of the hero Perseus, was a popular subject in Ancient Greek art. Despite her often monstrous appearance, it was believed that images of Medusa had apotropaic powers and could ward off evil and bad luck. Medusa was not, however, always depicted as entirely monstrous. This representation alludes to the version of the myth in which her monstrous form was the result of having been cursed out of spite due to her beauty.
