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· Anthropomorphic
votive offerings
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| Anthropomorphic votive offerings |
The sacred area of Schiavi was home to what was certainly the local production of whole or partial human figures, primarily made on the lathe with the finishing touches added later. These almost anthropomorphic vessels represent the naked devotee, with anatomical details engraved or added so as to clearly differentiate between the sexes. These effigies were left in the temple, perhaps in order to recall the follower and his or her constant need for protection to the god.
In contrast with the "cultured" models of the Hellenistic tradition, still very widespread at the time, these votive offerings, with their approximate, deliberately unrealistic appearance, are possibly a sign of local cultural "resistance" to external Roman models, which became established after the Sannio district was conquered.
The ancient craftsman used a mould to shape the face of a female votive in just one instance. This mould possibly depicted the goddess Artemides, and was originally used for an antefix, a decorative element on the roof.
The bronze statuette, on the other hand, depicted Hercules. It shows the god in his traditional attacking pose, with his club, his stick, raised and ready to strike. |
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