Lot 22B
Ancient. Roman, Late Republican to Imperial Period, ca. 2nd century BCE to 2nd century BCE. A collection of seven earthenware votives, each one depicting a different body part: an ear, two eyes, one phallus and testes, one vulva, one foot, and one that appears to be a stomach. All are fairly realistic and instantly recognizable aside from the stomach - this one is more confusing because it is not known if the Romans were familiar with what all of the internal organs looked like. Some researchers have suggested that a shape like this one might also be a uterus. All are displayed together. Size of largest (foot): 4" W x 2" H (10.2 cm x 5.1 cm); size of display: 9.9" W x 10" H (25.1 cm x 25.4 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 Carlton Collection, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired between 1965 and 1980
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#128020
- Condition: Small ancient losses to two, the "stomach" and the phallus. All have wear commensurate with age, but details are clear.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $25,000 |