The Medusa head with the beautiful face of a woman, with strong expression, frowning rounded features, arched eyebrows, and prominent cheeks and chin. The head is depicted frontal with a slight turn to the left, framed by snaky hair, with two snakes coiling around it, their heads in heraldic composition, flanked by a pair of wings.
The details of the face and hair are rendered in a very lively style, appearing to be in motion.
The medallion is made of a gold sheet with relief in repouse, with an attachment element at the backside.

Medusa, the mythological beautiful monster, was considered a charm for good luck, protector from evil spirits. The Medusa head appeared on the phalera – an armor decoration, of the goddess Athena, kings as Alexander the Great, and in later periods Roman Emperors and high officers.

Cf. Medusa phalera on goddess Athena: De Caro, S., The National Archeological Museum of Naples, 1996, p. 320.
On Alexander the Great: Ibid, p. 144.
On a Roman Emperor: Kleiner, D. E. E., Roman Sculpture, 1992, p. 240, fig. 203.
On the god Mars: Ibid, p. 182, fig. 150.