Item 0001  MESOLITHIC GODDESS miniature  Venus of Willendorf type in fired terracotta, Earth Goddess figures such as this have been found throughout Europe.  The earliest know fired clay objects are fired clay figures from the area around Dolni Vestonice in the Czech Republic  Height approx 50mm £4.95
Item 0002  WILLENDORF VENUS, Mesolithic ca 25000 BC:  This replica is based on an original piece found at Willendorf, in Austria, on a terrace about 30 meters above the  River Danube. Earth, or Mother, Goddess figures such as this have been found throughout Europe.  The earliest know fired clay objects are figures, like this one, from the area around Dolni Vestonice in the Czech Republic.  Created by Mammoth hunters during the last Ice Age, these small sculptures seem to have been deliberately deposited in the landscape as some sort of sacrifice and were probably intended to ensure fertility. Height approx 115mm £19.00
Item 0003  VENUS FIGURINE, Roman 1st or 2nd Century: These little Venus figurines are a common find on Roman sites throughout the Empire.  Made in Gaul, and possible the Thames Valley, from white clay which would, much later, become known as ’pipe clay  for its use in the making of clay pipes, these statues would have been used as part of a household shrine.   Height approx. 140mm   £9.00
Item 0004 MOTHER GODDESS, Roman Second Century:  These little Mother Goddess  figurines are a common find on Roman sites throughout the Empire.  This figure is based on one found at Margidunum near Nottingham and shows a Mother, seated in a basketwork chair, feeding two babies but some such as one in the British Museum have only one child.  They were made in Gaul, and possible the Thames Valley, from white clay which would, much later, become known as ’pipe clay  for its use in the making of clay tobacco pipes. The statuettes were made in moulds to supply the mass market these statues would have been used as part of a household shrine.  Height 160mm £19.00