Roman Bronze Votive Right Handed Arm 100-300 A.D.

A miniature bronze Roman Votive arm 100-300 A.D.

Votive offerings were gifted to the gods often in shrines and temples, but also within the ‘Lararium’ shrine within the Roman home. They were given as a plea: and in hope of healing; as a cure; or as a thanks; and were made in the anatomical shape of the afflicted body part.

Here we see an arm made from bronze. They are part of a group known as anatomical votives, often created from terracotta, stone and bronze. We do not know what the offering was for exactly, but they were often left to Askepios, the god of healing and medicine. The votives were literal representations of an individuals needs, and can see from the material used that the devotee was of higher status. You would have been a wealthy owner to have your votive created in bronze, as most votives were made from terracotta.

Hands were very popular in the Greco Roman world, the right hand particularly was traditionally regarded as a symbol of good fortune and be offered to secure ongoing good luck.

Votives represented peoples literal hopes and fears, reminding us of the importance of prayer, faith and good fortune in the face of our hearts and health.

Provenance from a London private collector whose collection built in the 1980s from the UK and International Art market.