Female and votive statuettes in both sacred and residential Roman settings

Votive bronze statuette of a young woman with offerings of flowers and a pomegranate, symbol of fertility because of its innumerable seeds, photographed by my good friend Allan Gluck at the Dumbarton Oaks Museum in Washington D.C. Statuettes such as this one were often deposited in temples to pray continually on behalf of the devout donor although sometimes they were simply displayed in the home to reflect the homeowner's erudition and piety. The sculpture is a 1st century BCE - 2nd century CE Roman copy of a Greek original of the 6th-5th century BCE.

Bronze votive statuette, Roman, 1st century BCE - 1st century CE photographed by Allan Gluck at the Dumbarton Oaks Museum in Washington, D.C.

According to Bard:

"Votive statuettes of young women with offerings were common in Roman excavations of temples from the 1st century BCE to the 1st century CE. These statuettes were often made of terracotta or bronze, and they were typically found in sanctuaries dedicated to fertility goddesses such as Juno, Venus, and Diana. The statuettes were often depicted holding offerings such as fruit, flowers, or animals, and they were sometimes inscribed with prayers or thanks for blessings received.

"Archaeologists have found a large number of these statuettes in various excavations of Roman temples and sanctuaries. For example, at the sanctuary of Mater Matuta in Velletri, Italy, archaeologists have unearthed over 1,000 votive statuettes of young women. These statuettes are dated to the 4th to 1st centuries BCE, and they are believed to have been dedicated by women who were seeking help with fertility or childbirth.

"Votive statuettes of young women with offerings were also found in large numbers at the Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia in Praeneste, Italy. These statuettes were dated to the 2nd century BCE to the 1st century CE, and they were dedicated by both men and women seeking help with a variety of issues, including fertility, health, and success in business or love.

"The presence of these statuettes in Roman temples and sanctuaries suggests that they played an important role in ancient Roman religious practices. They were seen as a way to communicate with the gods and goddesses and to seek their help with a variety of personal needs."

I also asked Bard about discoveries of these types of votive statuettes in Pompeii and Bard pointed out that quite a number have been found in private residences but not as many as in temple settings.:

[These statuettes]..."were typically found in shrines or lararia, which are household shrines dedicated to the Lares, the protective spirits of the home. The statuettes were often depicted holding offerings such as fruit, flowers, or animals, and they were sometimes inscribed with prayers or thanks for blessings received.

"Archaeologists have found a large number of these statuettes in various excavations of Roman residences in Pompeii. For example, at the Villa of the Mysteries in Pompeii, archaeologists have unearthed over 20 votive statuettes of young women. These statuettes are dated to the 1st century CE, and they are believed to have been dedicated by the residents of the villa as a way to thank the gods and goddesses for their protection and blessings.

"Votive statuettes of young women with offerings have also been found in large numbers at the House of the Surgeon in Pompeii. These statuettes are dated to the 1st century CE, and they are believed to have been dedicated by the residents of the house as a way to pray for good health and healing.

"Votive statuettes of young women with offerings were also found in large numbers in the House of the Vettii, another well-preserved residence in Pompeii. These statuettes were dated to the 1st century CE, and they were dedicated by the Vettii family as a way to express their gratitude for the success of their business. The statuettes were found in a household shrine located in the atrium of the house." If you enjoyed this post, never miss out on future posts by following me by email!