Ancient Roman Lead Votive model, of Venus
15
days
04
hours
08
minutes
09
seconds
Current bid
€ 29
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Peter Reynaers
Has nearly 30 years’ experience and moderated multiple online art research groups.
Estimate € 180 - € 220
 | €29 | |
|---|---|---|
| €24 | |
| €19 | |
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This ancient Roman lead votive model of Venus dates to the 1st–2nd century AD and depicts the goddess standing nude.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Ancient Roman lead votive figurine of Venus, shown standing nude in a graceful pose. She is depicted with small circular protrusions indicating breasts, wide hips and a distinctive round-faced, stylized head. One arm is bent at the middle holding one breast, the other arm rests at the hip, a familiar classical stance associated with depictions of the goddess of love and beauty.
The figure is rendered in a simplified but expressive manner, with emphasis on the feminine form and elegant silhouette.
-> Small votive images of Venus were offered in the Roman world as personal devotional objects, reflecting the goddess’s wide appeal in both public and private religion. As Venus was associated not only with love and beauty, but also with fertility, prosperity and protection, such figures could be dedicated in temples, shrines or domestic settings as acts of prayer, thanksgiving or hope for divine favour.
Height: ± 67,4 mm
Condition: good and solid condition with good detail. The surface displays a pale grey to beige patina with deposits. The feet are missing. Surface wear and irregularities consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
-> The miniature size and softness of the lead material indicates this object was votive and had ritual or magical purposes.
The colour and weight of lead is traditionally associated with the underworld and magic.
A similar association can be found in lead curse tablets which were often folded, rolled or pierced.
-> Aphrodite, derived from the Phoenician goddess Astarte and known in Roman mythology as Venus was the goddess of love, beauty, pleasure and fertility. In Roman society prospective brides offered Venus a gift before their wedding. Her attributes included the winged godling Eros, a mirror, cockle shell, dove, apple and myrtle wreath.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Attention: due to customs regulations we can only ship inside the European Union. Please ensure you have a valid EU shipping address before placing a bid.
Ancient Roman lead votive figurine of Venus, shown standing nude in a graceful pose. She is depicted with small circular protrusions indicating breasts, wide hips and a distinctive round-faced, stylized head. One arm is bent at the middle holding one breast, the other arm rests at the hip, a familiar classical stance associated with depictions of the goddess of love and beauty.
The figure is rendered in a simplified but expressive manner, with emphasis on the feminine form and elegant silhouette.
-> Small votive images of Venus were offered in the Roman world as personal devotional objects, reflecting the goddess’s wide appeal in both public and private religion. As Venus was associated not only with love and beauty, but also with fertility, prosperity and protection, such figures could be dedicated in temples, shrines or domestic settings as acts of prayer, thanksgiving or hope for divine favour.
Height: ± 67,4 mm
Condition: good and solid condition with good detail. The surface displays a pale grey to beige patina with deposits. The feet are missing. Surface wear and irregularities consistent with age and use.
Certificate of Authenticity: available upon request (pdf-format).
-> The miniature size and softness of the lead material indicates this object was votive and had ritual or magical purposes.
The colour and weight of lead is traditionally associated with the underworld and magic.
A similar association can be found in lead curse tablets which were often folded, rolled or pierced.
-> Aphrodite, derived from the Phoenician goddess Astarte and known in Roman mythology as Venus was the goddess of love, beauty, pleasure and fertility. In Roman society prospective brides offered Venus a gift before their wedding. Her attributes included the winged godling Eros, a mirror, cockle shell, dove, apple and myrtle wreath.
Seller's Story
Please read our information carefully.
*SHIPPING INFO Due to insurance procedures, combined shipping is only possible with a single payment. (1 payment reference = 1 insured parcel.) If you accept an offer after the auction and pay separately, shipments cannot be manually combined afterward. Please ensure your shipping address is complete and correct before paying. Changes made after payment are not automatically forwarded to us.
* CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY (COA) For insurance purposes we can provide a digital Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) for every item with a hammer price of Euro 100 or more. The COA is available upon request within 20 days of the auction date. Instructions will be provided when your order is shipped. Certificates are not included in the package.
* INSURANCE & CLAIMS All our parcels are shipped with external insurance. This insurance requires the following:
-> Monitor the online tracking and notify delays to the seller within 14 days after the shipping date.
-> In case of damage: write a reservation on the delivery note and report the damage to the seller via the Catawiki online chat within 24 hours. Keep all packaging and send us photos of the damage.
* MARGIN SCHEME: All our sales are subject to the margin scheme; therefore, no VAT is charged or shown on our invoices.
* IMPORTANT BUYERS OUTSIDE THE EU: We cannot ship to countries outside the European Union. Please ensure you have an EU shipping address before bidding. No exceptions can be made. Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom are not part of the EU.
* DOCUMENTATION NOTICE: Previous invoices and import/export documents will not be shared with customers.
----------------------
Thank you for your interest, and best of luck with your bids!
Details
Culture
Ancient Roman
Century/timeframe
1st-2nd century AD
Name of object
of Venus, Votive model
Acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Year acquired
2026
Material
Lead
Country acquired from
Belgium
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Dealer at a fair
Previous owner - year acquired
2026
Previous owner - country acquired from
Belgium
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.
