Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A hollow-molded right foot, not a section of a larger sculpture but a complete piece. This foot was at one time coated with red glaze, and large areas of the heel and toes have pigmentation. This is a life-size rendering of a foot and the toenails are prominently formed. Idealized shapes of feet were developed in Greek sculpture and was copied by Romans. Having an index toe longer than the big toe was the aesthetic foot shape that persisted in many Greco-Roman inspired sculpture. This is a wonderful votive of a ceramic foot! Size: 10.25" L x 3.375" W x 5.875" H (26 cm x 8.6 cm x 14.9 cm)
Roman and other ancient Mediterranean cultures, had a long-standing tradition of offering terracotta votives of everyday objects, animals, human figures like babies, and body parts at sanctuaries. Besides heads, hands and the feet were the most commonly offered votives since they were often injured in labor intensive societies. Local artisans created an industry to make and sell these offerings, producing pottery, such as this foot, and bronze models for supplicants.
Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-William Froelich collection, New York, USA, acquired in the 1970s
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#157506
Condition
Loss to bottom edge. Surface wear, nicks, and abrasions commensurate with age. Earthen encrustations and remains of red glaze!