These were often gargoyles, which were originally drain spouts, carved in stone and designed to carry away the rainwater.
They were invariably ugly, sometimes frightening and sometimes funny. They reminded the godfearing congregations that hell and its creatures were waiting for them if they weren’t careful.
The term gargoyle is now often applied to any kind of monster or grotesque.
Lacertus is a relief sculpture
approx. 8" high and 9.5" wide
(21cm x 24cm).