Votive Breasts

Details

 We based the design of this pair of votive breasts on an example from Asklepieion, Corinth. The breasts are attached to a plaque with holes where string or a leather thong could be threaded, suggesting these offerings were likely intended to be hung up.  

There are several different versions of breast votives from the ancient world, and they vary significantly in terms of design. These variations are probably due to individual potters working in different styles, at different times and in different parts of the empire. One thing is clear from the numbers found; they were a popular offering in the Ancient Greek and the Roman world. 

Context 

Votive offerings of human body parts have been found in their thousands across the ancient world. These ritual objects were left at healing sanctuaries and religious sites as offering to the gods. One presumption is that they were left in the hopes of conjuring divine intervention during instances of illness, injury and disease. It is also thought that they may have been left as thanks after the event to honour the gods whose intervention was gratefully received.  

The effectiveness of these offerings is unknown, but their popularity as a form of health care is undeniable. I personally prefer to rely on the hard-working folks of the NHS. 

 Materials

White earthenware 

Dimensions

Approx. 65 mm high, 215 mm wide

Production

This replica Roman pot has been hand made in Northumberland by Potted History, based on an original artefact.  It has been fired to a temperature of between 800 & 1000 Centigrade, to emulate the same techniques that the original potters would have employed nearly two thousand years ago. This process often results in variations of the surface colour and texture, as is common with the original Roman Pottery and giving each piece it's unique character.

Postage
All items are sent using a second class postal service, if you wish to have an item sent first class please contact my for a quote. Many Thanks