Description:

Roman, probably Republican period, ca. 2nd to 1st century BCE. A mold made, ceramic votive figure of disembodied testes and a penis. Comes with custom stand. Size: 2.65" W x 3.3" H (6.7 cm x 8.4 cm); height on stand: 4.35" (11 cm)

Ancient Italy and Greece had Asklepions, sanctuaries dedicated to Asklepios, the god of healing, where the sick and those concerned about them could travel to pray for better health. Animal sacrifices and ceramic or bronze votive offerings were made at altars within these sanctuaries. Often, these votives were in the form of disembodied, sometimes abstract, body parts. Many scholars have suggested that they represent the afflicted body parts of the ill, placed to ask for healing, but that is speculative and the meaning of these evocative objects remains elusive.

Provenance: private Rochester, Michigan, USA collection

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#123333

  • Condition: Small loss to upper corner, with some deposits on surface.

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May 25, 2017 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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