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. Roman solid silver bust applique of Aphrodite / Venus or an idealised female divinity. The face is youthful and idealised, with calm, symmetrical features and softly waved hair drawn away from the face. This was likely a votive bust or was part of a piece of jewellery. Size: ± 25,4 x 18,5 x 15,3 mm Weight: ± 26,18 g Good and solid condition, signs of wear consistent with age and use. Certificate of Authenticity (PDF) is available upon request. 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. MATERIAL This object has been carefully examined with regard to its material composition and surface characteristics. Specialised laboratory analysis such as metallurgical testing (e.g. XRF) is not routinely undertaken in private collecting and is more commonly associated with academic or institutional research. Destructive testing methods (such as acid testing) permanently damage the object’s surface and are not appropriate for archaeological material. Historically, modern hallmarking systems did not exist. The alloy composition of gold and silver could vary depending on local resources, trade networks, recycling practices and prevailing economic conditions.