Grotesque carving (8)
I believe the answer is:
gargoyle
'grotesque carving' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for gargoyle that I've seen before include "Grotesque carved figure as ancient water-spout" , "Ugly cathedral feature" , "Grotesque architectural statue" , "Grotesque-looking waterspout" , "Grotesque projection" .)