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$ 49.00
This votive axe is a museum recreation of a Romano-Celtic miniature axe, which was found in Northern England. Discovered by metal detector, the votive was an offering object - presented to the gods most likely for strength, success and protection in battle. The original was created in bronze, and is a testament to the faith of the man or woman who offered it up all those centuries ago.
Imagine… you wake up tomorrow morning to find yourself transported back in time to 100 BC, and into the Romano-Celtic world of ancient Europe. Suddenly you’ve entered a world where gods and goddesses hold sway over every aspect of your life. Sometimes benevolent, sometimes capricious, the gods of the Romans and Celts were as flawed and fallible as their human worshipers. But, to those worshipers they were all powerful.
As a Celt or Roman of the day, your first waking thought of the morning would be to appease and persuade the gods through prayers, offerings and sacrifices. Every battle, and every victory, would be dedicated to one or more of the heavenly deities that had blessed your every thought and action. And, if you were to experience pain or failure, either in battle or through any misfortune, it was most certainly because you had angered the gods through your actions, words, or by not being quite pious enough.
In a world ruled by superstition and a vast array of gods, ensuring that you received continued blessings and divine assistance was all important. But Celts and Romans didn’t just “say their prayers” and move on with their day. Attendance at temples erected to the gods, sacrificial offerings, and religious rites were all considered essential. And when away from home (most often on military campaigns) alters were erected, and bodies of water were used for prayers and offerings.
Enter the votive offering…
Votive offerings are physical objects found in temples, sanctuaries, pits and bodies of water that were used in a religious ritual. In fact, the word votive comes from the root word votum, which means vow). Sometimes they were as simple as an every day object like weapons, coins and jewelry. These full-size, daily-use objects were often crushed or broken before they were dedicated to the gods. Other votives were created specifically for dedication, like clay figurines or small stone alters. But among votive offerings, miniatures and models hold a special place. These tiny objects… axes, wheels, vessels, arrow tips and other blade-type tools and weapons, were produced strictly for religious use – they served no practical function. Their only purpose was to be offered up to the gods
Of Special Note: Our exclusive Empires Collection features Museum-Quality Castings that are produced by hand, in the USA, and to exacting standards, creating jewelry pieces that are amazingly faithful to the original artifact. Each is hand-finished here in the studio - toned, hand-rubbed and polished - making the best of ancient art affordable and wearable for a life-time.
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