Votive offering showing a mother breastfeeding a child, Roman, 300 BCE-100 CE
- Made:
- 300 BCE-100 CE in Roman Empire
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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Votive figure, mother suckling infant, mother seated, terracotta, Roman, 300BC-100AD
Votive offerings were given to the gods either in the hope of a cure or as thanks for one and were made in the shape of the afflicted body part. This terracotta figure shows a mother breast feeding her child. The figure may have been given in thanks for the safe delivery of a child.
A large number of the votive offerings in the Wellcome collection are in the shape of reproductive organs, reflecting a society that placed great emphasis on fertility but which also ran great risks in pregnancy and childbirth.
Details
- Category:
- Classical & Medieval Medicine
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A634990
- Materials:
- terracotta
- Measurements:
-
overall: 155 mm x 50 mm x 67 mm, .16 kg
- type:
- votive offering
