Votive right ear

Made:
200 BCE-100 CE in Roman Empire
Votive right ears, bronze, Roman, 200BC-100AD. Grey background.

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Votive right ears, bronze, Roman, 200BC-100AD. Grey background.
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Votive right ear, bronze, Roman, 200BC-100AD

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 ears. They may have been experiencing deafness or infection. Made from bronze, the ears are now coated with chemical compounds formed from corrosion (called bronze disease), which gives them their green appearance. The use of bronze may indicate a wealthy owner as most votives were made from terracotta. (A634919 and A634920 shown together).

Details

Category:
Classical & Medieval Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A634920
Materials:
bronze
Measurements:
overall: 14 mm x 33 mm x 54 mm, 0.07kg
type:
votive offering
credit:
Loan, Wellcome Trust