The mascaron of Pierrot in Bordeaux

Bordeaux mascarons: what they are and what they mean

Bordeaux is renowned for having over 3,000 mascarons—possibly the largest collection of these decorative sculptures in any city worldwide. Mascarons date back to ancient times, where they were used in Greco-Roman architecture to adorn buildings and ward off evil spirits. They often symbolized deities or mythological figures. The word “mascaron” comes from Italian language and…