Votive left ear, bronze, Roman, 200 BC - 100 BCE

Votive offerings were presented to a god, either in the hope of a cure or as thanks for one. They were made in the shape of the afflicted body part – in this case a person’s ear. They may have been experiencing deafness or infection. Made from bronze, the ear is now coated with chemical compounds formed from corrosion (called bronze disease), which gives it a green appearance. The use of bronze may indicate a wealthy owner as most votives were made from terracotta.