Front tiles protected the exposed beam ends of the roof structure against the weather. They were not only functionally important elements, but could also be lavishly decorated. Popular decorative elements were palmettes, which are derived from the symmetrically arranged palm branches. This front tile shows a five-leaf palmette with straight central leaves and inwardly curved side leaves at the top. A female head can be seen in the center. In the spandrels of the palmette two facing dolphins, including two antithetical snakes. (AVS)
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