Votive Offering
Votive Offering
Object name: Votive Offering
Date: 400-200 BC
Dimensions:
60 x 180 x 110 mm
Medium: Earthenware
Object number: C07415
DescriptionVotive offering in form of an uterus. It is flat on one side, with ridged indentations on the other suggesting muscle contraction during childbirth.
In antiquity, votive offerings in the form of body parts were often left in healing sanctuaries across Etruria. They would be made in the form of the body part afflicted and were left either as thanks by those who had been healed, or by those in hope of a cure.
In the case of offerings depicted as wombs, it is likely that they were left by those hoping to conceive a child. This connection with fertility and the hope of childbirth can be further seen in votives of this type which have a small pellet of clay inside them to represent the child.
In antiquity, votive offerings in the form of body parts were often left in healing sanctuaries across Etruria. They would be made in the form of the body part afflicted and were left either as thanks by those who had been healed, or by those in hope of a cure.
In the case of offerings depicted as wombs, it is likely that they were left by those hoping to conceive a child. This connection with fertility and the hope of childbirth can be further seen in votives of this type which have a small pellet of clay inside them to represent the child.