An Ancient Etruscan Terracotta Votive Model of an Eye
4th – 3rd Century BC
Size: 4.5cm high, 5.5cm wide, 1.5cm deep – 1¾ ins high, 2¼ ins wide, ½ ins deep
Provenance: Ex collection Ambassador Reginald Bartholomew, New York, USA (1936 – 2012) U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Spain and Italy 1980 – 1990
cf: A similar Votive Terracotta in National Museum of Archaeology, Florence, inv. no. 4785
Ex collection Ambassador Reginald Bartholomew, New York, USA (1936 – 2012) U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Spain and Italy 1980 – 1990
The Etruscans were well known in antiquity for their religious observance. Among the Romans they were known not only for their respect for the divine, but also for their skill in interpreting this guidance through highly developed techniques of divination. The Etruscan priests concerned, known as ‘Haruspices’ were so highly regarded that the Romans were willing to consult them in moments of crisis. The principal divination techniques were based on observing details of signs such as lightning, the appearance of the intestines of sacrificed animals and the flight of birds.
The practice of offering anatomical votives at the sanctuaries of deities associated with healing and fertility increased in popularity from the 5th century BC onwards. They were made to ensure divine favour or to give thanks for health and protection. The votive models were stored permanently at the sanctuaries in huge numbers and were often carefully buried when the site was abandoned.
By appointment only.
