Roman Wheel-Thrown Votive Uterus
Handcrafted Replica Roman Votive Uterus – Inspired by Ancient Healing Rituals
Details
Votive offerings in the form of human body parts have been discovered by the thousands across the ancient world. However, wheel-thrown votives, like this one, are far rarer due to the time-consuming craftsmanship involved in their creation.
These ritual objects were left at healing sanctuaries and religious sites as offerings to the gods. One theory suggests that they were placed in hopes of divine intervention during illness, injury, or disease. Another belief is that they were left in gratitude—a way to honour the gods after a recovery had been achieved.
While we may never know their true effectiveness, their popularity as a form of ancient healthcare is undeniable—though I, for one, prefer to rely on the hard-working folks of the NHS!
Votive uteri, such as this one, are relatively common finds, with some examples housed in the British Museum. Many feature a small bead of clay inside the uterus, sealed within when the back is attached, hidden from view. Each of our replicas faithfully includes this small but symbolically important detail.
Some original votives have been found to contain two beads. If you have a specific number of beads you would like included to represent yourself or your family, please let us know—we would be delighted to create a personalised piece for you.
Materials
- Terracotta
Dimensions
- Height: Approx. 185 mm
- Depth: Approx. 80 mm
Production
Each museum-quality replica is handcrafted in Northumberland by Potted History, based on an original artefact. The votive has been fired at temperatures between 800°C and 1000°C, replicating ancient Roman pottery techniques as closely as possible.
This traditional process naturally results in variations in surface colour and texture, ensuring that each piece is unique, just like the original votive offerings.
Ordering Information
- 'Add to Basket' Items: Ready to ship immediately.
- 'Pre-order' Items: Handmade to order within 90 days (longer for international orders). If your order includes both 'Add to Basket' and 'Pre-order' items, they will be shipped together once all items are ready.
Shipping
- All items are sent via second-class postal service as standard.
- If you require first-class shipping, please contact us for a custom quote.
- Postage Note: All items are carefully packaged to ensure they arrive in perfect condition.
Own a piece of ancient healing history with this beautifully handcrafted replica votive uterus. Order today to bring the traditions of Roman ritual offerings into your collection!
SHIPPING
'Add To Cart' items are ready to send straight away. Please be aware that if bought alongside 'Pre-order' items, your order will be sent when all items are ready.
'Pre-order' items are made to order, and we will dispatch them as soon as we have handcrafted them for you; this usually takes 90 days, but international orders can take a little longer.
We ship our fabulous replicas worldwide.
Shipping costs are worked out during checkout. They are based on where you are in the world and how heavy your parcel is, which can be very variable.
All items are sent using a second-class postal service. If you wish to have an item sent first class, please contact us for a quote. Many Thanks
RETURNS
If you aren't completely satisfied with your Potted History piece, please get in touch to organise a return. Email us at
clare@rothburycreates.co.uk
Then you can send it back at your own cost in an unused condition within 30 days, and we'll refund you for the cost of the item or items returned. If you include your order number with the returned package, that will speed things up. Please leave any original packaging intact.
Our returns address is:
Potted History, Gregory Court, Rothbury, Northumberland, NE65 7SW
PRODUCT VARIATION
Please be aware that due to items being handmade and finished, colour variations will occur during the making process, and each replica will have some differences. Also, know that the item photographed may not be the one that you receive, and colours can appear differently on different screens. Please ensure you look at all the images to get a fully formed idea of the item you are ordering as we try to capture the variations within the images we share. If you prefer a specific colour variation, please contact us before ordering.