Athens Akrokeramo (Anthemio Ancient Greek Antefix) Mug

A very prominent, beloved and timeless fixture of Athenian buildings, this design featuring the "Akrokeramon" or "Anthemion" serves as a great Athenian souvenir. The anthemion (from the Greek ανθέμιον, a flower) is the ancient Greco-Roman version of the palmette, a common motif in decorative art which resembles the fan-shaped leaves of a palm tree. It has a far-reaching history, originating in ancient Egypt with a subsequent development through the art of most of Eurasia, often in forms that bear relatively little resemblance to the original. It is found in most artistic media, but especially as an architectural ornament, whether carved or painted and painted on ceramics. It is very often a component of the design of a frieze or border. An antefix is a vertical block that terminates the covering tiles of a tiled roof. In classical and neoclassical buildings the face of each stone ante-fix is richly carved, often with the anthemion ornament, also called "akrokeramo" in Greek (literally 'edge of roof tile'). The "Athinai" lettering is inspired by an ancient pottery shard.