Etruscan Votive of an Uterus

Culture: Etruscan

Period: 3rd-2nd century B.C.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 17.4 cm x 10.7 cm

Price: Sold

Ref: 4023

Provenance: Collection Rolf Heynen, Düsseldorf, acquired in the 1920s. Heynen participated in many excavations and worked in the city museum Düsseldorf.

Condition: Except for some encrustation and minor wear intact.

Description: Terracotta female uterus modelled in ridged relief, typical for votive offerings of body parts found in Veji (Isola Varnese). The imitated uterus is possibly associated with the desire for pregnancy or birth. The indent in the upper centre refers to an opening of the organ. These reproductions of body parts are considered to be offerings of gratitude or plea from diseased persons who pray to their worshiped gods of healing.