Ancient Roman Bronze RARE Votive ear
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Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 800 - € 900
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Rare Bronze votive ear from ancient Rome, 1st–3rd century A.D., 63 mm × 37 mm, in good condition; acquired from a German private collection (previous owner 1970–1980), with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license; stand not included.
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Description from the seller
ITEM: Votive ear
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st - 3rd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 63 mm x 37 mm (without stand)
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex German private collection, acquired between 1970 - 1980
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license.
IMPORTANT: Stand not included.
In the ancient Roman world, votive offerings—known as donaria or ex-votos—served as tangible manifestations of religious vows made between worshippers and deities. Among the wide array of anatomical votives, model ears crafted from bronze, terracotta, silver, or lead were dedicated at healing sanctuaries and temples dedicated to gods associated with medicine and listening, such as Aesculapius, Serapis, Minerva, or Apollo. These anatomical models formed part of a reciprocal ritual practice summarized by the Latin phrase votum solvit libens merito ("fulfilled the vow willingly and deservedly"), bridging the gap between human vulnerability and divine power.
Anatomical votive ears fulfilled a twofold symbolic role within Roman ritual worship. On one level, an ear represented a specific physical ailment, dedicated by a supplicant seeking divine intervention for deafness, infections, or earaches—or given in gratitude following a successful cure. On a deeper religious level, the ear functioned as a metaphor for divine attentiveness (deus auritus, a "god who listens"). By presenting a carved or cast ear at a shrine, the worshipper sought to visually prompt the deity to open their ears to prayers, ensuring that petitions for health, safe travel, or protection would not go unheard.
Surviving examples reveal significant variation in production and artistic sophistication depending on the wealth of the dedicated individual. Mass-produced terracotta ears press-molded from clay were affordable to common citizens, whereas elite individuals commissioned fine cast bronze or silver examples, occasionally inscribed with the name of the donor or the receiving god. Discovered in abundance at sanctuary sites across Italy and the wider provinces, these modest anatomical artifacts provide intimate insights into Roman lived religion, personal piety, and ancient medical beliefs.
Seller's Story
Your Antiquarian offers ancient art and ancient coins. Our main objective is to offer the highest quality at the best price respecting and strictly complying with the laws of heritage protection and UNESCO heritage norms. Therefore, all the pieces that are published come from private collections in which the provenance can be checked or international auctions. All our antiquities and coins are accompanied by their Certificate of Authenticity. We have a no quibble 90 day return policy. At Your Antiquarian we are committed to helping disadvantaged groups and for this reason a portion of each purchase is donated to charities to help people in need.
Translated by Google TranslateITEM: Votive ear
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st - 3rd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 63 mm x 37 mm (without stand)
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex German private collection, acquired between 1970 - 1980
Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export license.
IMPORTANT: Stand not included.
In the ancient Roman world, votive offerings—known as donaria or ex-votos—served as tangible manifestations of religious vows made between worshippers and deities. Among the wide array of anatomical votives, model ears crafted from bronze, terracotta, silver, or lead were dedicated at healing sanctuaries and temples dedicated to gods associated with medicine and listening, such as Aesculapius, Serapis, Minerva, or Apollo. These anatomical models formed part of a reciprocal ritual practice summarized by the Latin phrase votum solvit libens merito ("fulfilled the vow willingly and deservedly"), bridging the gap between human vulnerability and divine power.
Anatomical votive ears fulfilled a twofold symbolic role within Roman ritual worship. On one level, an ear represented a specific physical ailment, dedicated by a supplicant seeking divine intervention for deafness, infections, or earaches—or given in gratitude following a successful cure. On a deeper religious level, the ear functioned as a metaphor for divine attentiveness (deus auritus, a "god who listens"). By presenting a carved or cast ear at a shrine, the worshipper sought to visually prompt the deity to open their ears to prayers, ensuring that petitions for health, safe travel, or protection would not go unheard.
Surviving examples reveal significant variation in production and artistic sophistication depending on the wealth of the dedicated individual. Mass-produced terracotta ears press-molded from clay were affordable to common citizens, whereas elite individuals commissioned fine cast bronze or silver examples, occasionally inscribed with the name of the donor or the receiving god. Discovered in abundance at sanctuary sites across Italy and the wider provinces, these modest anatomical artifacts provide intimate insights into Roman lived religion, personal piety, and ancient medical beliefs.
Seller's Story
Your Antiquarian offers ancient art and ancient coins. Our main objective is to offer the highest quality at the best price respecting and strictly complying with the laws of heritage protection and UNESCO heritage norms. Therefore, all the pieces that are published come from private collections in which the provenance can be checked or international auctions. All our antiquities and coins are accompanied by their Certificate of Authenticity. We have a no quibble 90 day return policy. At Your Antiquarian we are committed to helping disadvantaged groups and for this reason a portion of each purchase is donated to charities to help people in need.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
1st - 3rd Century A.D
Name of object
RARE Votive ear
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2025
Material
Bronze
Country acquired from
Germany
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Antique market
Previous owner - year acquired
1970
Previous owner - country acquired from
Germany
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
