An exceptionally detailed high-relief decorative plaque inspired by one of the most terrifying and fascinating creatures of Classical Greek mythology: Scylla, the legendary sea monster who haunted the treacherous waters of the ancient Mediterranean. The dramatic composition portrays Scylla as a beautiful yet fearsome mythological female figure, surrounded by six monstrous, snarling sea creatures emerging from a turbulent ocean of crashing waves and jagged rocks. At the centre stands the magnificent female figure, her elegant Classical features, flowing hair and sweeping drapery contrasting dramatically with the ferocious creatures surrounding her. Her elaborate hair cascades across the composition in twisting, sculptural strands, decorated with delicate marine ornaments, shells and intricate Classical detailing. Below and around her, six terrifying sea-monster heads emerge from powerful coiling serpentine bodies. Their open jaws, sharp teeth, elaborate scales and fin-like projections create an extraordinary impression of movement and supernatural menace. The creatures twist and intertwine among jagged coastal rocks, while enormous curling waves crash against their bodies, creating a dramatic scene filled with energy, movement and mythological symbolism. In the background, towering rocky cliffs and a distant Classical Greek temple evoke the ancient Mediterranean landscape, while an ornate Greek-key architectural arch frames the central figure. The lower section incorporates beautifully detailed seashells, marine ornamentation, swirling water and elaborate decorative scrollwork, completing the richly balanced composition. THE LEGEND OF SCYLLA In ancient Greek mythology, Scylla was a terrifying sea monster who inhabited a rocky coastal passage opposite the deadly whirlpool Charybdis. The two monsters formed one of the most dangerous obstacles faced by ancient mariners, giving rise to the expression of being caught between Scylla and Charybdis. Scylla is famously described in Homer's Odyssey, where the hero Odysseus must navigate his ship through the treacherous strait, knowing that passing too close to the monster would bring terrible consequences. In later mythological traditions, Scylla was sometimes represented as a beautiful woman transformed into a monstrous creature, her lower body surrounded by savage dog-like heads and serpentine marine forms. This elaborate composition draws inspiration from these legendary descriptions, presenting Scylla as a commanding female figure surrounded by six ferocious mythical creatures. The contrast between her graceful human appearance and the terrifying monsters creates a particularly striking interpretation of one of Classical mythology's most memorable figures. IMPRESSIVE HIGH-RELIEF DETAIL The design rises to approximately 4 mm in pronounced raised relief, giving the plaque a highly sculptural and almost three-dimensional appearance. Viewed from different angles, the projecting figures, snarling monster heads, twisting serpentine bodies, flowing hair, crashing waves and elaborate marine ornamentation create dramatic layers of depth, shadow and texture. Particular attention has been given to the expressive faces of the six creatures, their individually detailed scales, powerful jaws and intricately modelled serpentine forms. The central female figure is beautifully detailed, with flowing Classical drapery, carefully defined facial features and elaborate hair that creates additional movement throughout the composition. The rich pale ivory and natural stone tones contrast magnificently against the dark charcoal surface of the genuine natural slate, enhancing the depth and highlighting the extraordinary intricacy of the design. The relief has been produced using raised UV printing techniques upon natural slate, combining contemporary decorative craftsmanship with the dramatic artistic traditions of Classical Greek and Roman sculpture. At approximately 115 grams, the plaque has a pleasingly substantial feel for its compact 10 cm square format. OBJECT DETAILS Artwork title: Scylla – The Six-Headed Sea Monster Object type: High-relief decorative sculptural plaque / Classical mythology tile Subject: Scylla, the legendary sea monster of Greek mythology Iconography: Classical female figure surrounded by six monstrous sea-creature heads, coiling serpentine bodies, crashing ocean waves, rocky cliffs, Classical Greek architecture, shells and decorative marine ornamentation Style: Classical Greek Mythology / Greco-Roman Revival / Grand Tour inspired Material: Genuine natural slate with raised UV-printed sculptural relief Dimensions: Approx. 10 × 10 cm Relief: Approx. 4 mm high Weight: Approx. 115 g Colour: Pale ivory, cream, natural stone tones and dark charcoal slate Reverse: Natural dark slate with characteristic textured surface DISPLAY An exceptionally decorative piece that can be displayed as a small sculptural plaque, framed, mounted or incorporated into an interior as a decorative feature tile. The dramatic mythological subject makes it particularly suitable for a study, library, cabinet of curiosities or Classical-inspired interior. The impressive sculptural detailing and unusual marine imagery also make it an attractive collectible for those interested in ancient Greek mythology, Homeric legends, Classical Revival art, mythological creatures and decorative relief sculpture. The compact square format allows the piece to be displayed individually or alongside other Classical mythological reliefs, creating an attractive collection inspired by the gods, heroes and legendary monsters of the ancient Mediterranean world. The pronounced relief and intricately modelled details make this a particularly interesting piece to examine closely, with different elements becoming more prominent as the light catches the raised surfaces. CONDITION Very good condition. The high-relief design is crisp and well defined, with particularly impressive detail throughout the central female figure, the six snarling sea creatures, twisting serpentine bodies, rocky formations and elaborate swirling waves. The natural slate displays its characteristic surface texture, natural colour variations and slightly irregular edges, which contribute to the individuality and appearance of the piece. The contrast between the pale raised decoration and dark natural slate creates a particularly striking sculptural effect. Please study all photographs and detailed close-up images carefully, as they form an important part of the description and demonstrate the depth, texture and intricate detail of the relief. DATING / ATTRIBUTION This is a later-produced decorative reproduction inspired by Classical Greek mythology and the artistic traditions of ancient Greco-Roman sculptural reliefs. It is not an original ancient Greek or Roman artefact, antique carved marble or archaeological object. The composition is a modern artistic interpretation of Scylla, drawing upon ancient mythological descriptions of the monstrous female creature and her six terrifying heads. It is offered as a finely detailed Classical Revival decorative and collectible piece, celebrating the extraordinary mythology of Scylla, the legendary monster of the ancient Mediterranean, and the enduring fascination with the mythical creatures of ancient Greece. Shipping: Royal Mail International Tracked delivery service, tracking number will be added to your order page on posting for you to track to ensure safety and peace of mind. This item is coming from the UK: Customs Duties & Taxes: Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply. I am not responsible for delays due to customs. Potential Delays: Whilst I strive to ensure a timely delivery, please be aware that shipping times might be affected due to the customs processes in place post-Brexit. Additional Costs: Import fees, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be thank you. Catawiki disclaimer: This object has been dated based on style by the seller . No further tests, such as, a lapidary test, or radiography scans have been conducted to check the integrity of the piece.