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Mold-made terracotta vessels and figurines have been found in various parts of the world since long before the common era. The clay from which these figurines were made was abundant, allowing the coroplasts – makers of molded terracottas – to manufacture their products swiftly and inexpensively. A video demonstrating how mold-made terracotta items were created can be found in the "To Learn More" section of this website.
The terracotta objects in this exhibition include anatomical votives such as the foot and eye, as well as a lamp, a juglet, and a figurine that depict deities from the Greek and Egyptian pantheons. Greco-Roman household religion centered on securing the safety of a home’s inhabitants by pleasing gods and spirits associated with domestic space. Everyday objects in this exhibition depict the likenesses of a variety of protective spirits. The Egyptian deity Bes, incorporated into a lamp here with his female counterpart Beset, was thought to ward off sickness from children and mothers. Greco-Roman period Egyptians also believed that Harpocrates, the child version of the god Horus and represented in a terracotta statuette in this exhibition, could bring fertility to the land and grant protection to children. Dionysus, seen on the juglet, might have had a similar role as Harpocrates within private religion, or could have been considered more important in his association with the Egyptian god Serapis, who combined aspects of several Greek and Egyptian deities. The cast-bronze lar figurine was meant to be part of a pair that was placed in a shrine in a Roman house to guard the head of the household and his family.
Additionally, anatomical votives were dedicated at sanctuaries, perhaps as an element of ancient medical beliefs and practice. The terracotta foot and eye votives in this exhibition were likely representations of afflicted body parts that were left as offerings to the gods in exchange for healing.
Lar figurine, Kelsey Museum of Archaeology 1512, University of Michigan
This small lar figurine was probably one of a pair. Lares are Roman household deities, and their images were placed in home shrines located in the atrium, garden, kitchen, or bedroom. Lares are depicted often as dancing, youthful males holding a rhyton (drinking horn) and a patera (offering dish). The lares were given offerings such as fruit and other foods, to ensure protection and prosperity for the entire household, including slaves. Lares were also worshipped outside the home, with shrines in neighborhoods and at crossroads, as tutelary deities for the larger community.
Lar figurine; Roman, Early Imperial Period (1st century CE); Bronze, possible varnish; 7.3 cm height; 5.5 cm width. Purchase by Francis W. Kelsey
Votive foot and eye, Kelsey Museum of Archaeology 2977 and 1778, University of Michigan
These terracotta foot and eye votives are profoundly fascinating, being representations of a mortal being that were offered to the gods. The Italian anatomical votives lack any explanatory texts, leaving many possibilities as to their original intended function, whether for religious healing or as symbolic dedications indicating presence or attention. In contrast, Greek anatomical votives can be accompanied by inscriptions of prayers to healing gods like Asclepius.
Votive foot; Roman, Imperial period (1st century CE); Clay; 18.8 cm height, 8.9 cm width, 25.5 cm length. Purchase, Guiseppe De Criscio
Votive eye; Clay; 5.2 cm width, 6.8 cm length. Purchase by Francis W Kelsey
Juglet, Kelsey Museum of Archaeology 6542, University of Michigan
The Greek god Dionysus, identifiable by the clusters of leaves above his forehead and the long curls framing his face, is depicted on the front of this juglet. The style and material of manufacture, however, suggest that this artifact might have come from Egypt. The Hellenistic period Ptolemaic rulers of Egypt claimed Dionysus as their patron, and promoted Greek culture such as theater in their kingdom. Dionysus was the god of theater, and perhaps this juglet was a souvenir from a performance like flasks depicting comic actors.
Juglet; Roman, Late Republican or Early Imperial (1st century BCE); Clay, slip; 7.5 cm length, 8.6 cm width, 12.1 cm height. Gift of Peter Ruthven.
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