Roman votive offering; 1st–2nd centuries A.D.

Roman votive offering; 1st–2nd centuries A.D.
Bronze.
Measurements: 7 x 2 x 1.5 cm.
Roman votive offering depicting a child wrapped in a shroud. Votive offerings are one of the manifestations of religious devotion that took the form of gifts to sanctuaries; they were produced almost industrially—the more elaborate pieces by the lost-wax casting method, and the more schematic figures by forging. These votive offerings were deposited in sanctuaries over generations, which is why large accumulations of them have been found associated with places of worship.