Roman Votive Foot

Details
Votive offerings in the form of human body parts have been found in their thousands across the ancient world.  These ritual objects were left at healing sanctuaries and religious site as offering to the gods, most often to Asclepius the God of healing.  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, in order to honour the Gods whose intervention was gratefully received. 

Votive feet such as this one were a fairly common find, there are examples of votive feet in Museums around the world including at the Science Museum, London. The majority of foot votives appear as individual feet, some wearing sandals and some bare, but it is much rarer to find a pair of feet.    

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

 Materials

Terracotta

Dimensions

Approx. 210 mm toe to heel , 113 mm tall

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