Roman statuette matron
Symbol of fertility
A statuette of fertility for (expectant) mothers or masculinity paying homage to femininity: This Roman statuette of a matron (lat: Matrona, Matronae = honorable housewife) made of patinated alabaster plaster, is based on an original from the 2nd century AD , which can be seen in the French Musée d'Argentomagnus.
The Matrones Matronae, Matres or Matrae called, are mother deities, whose cult developed apparently in the 1st century A.D.; In the 3rd century the cult increased strongly around then in the 5th century again abbben. Until today more than 1100 matron names and epithets are known, about half of them are found in Germanic inscriptions.
Spread by the migration of peoples and Roman legionaries the matron cult is nevertheless nothing exclusively Germanic - it is represented in the entire Celtic area, whereby the so far discovered monuments are on Roman colonial area.
The matrons are usually depicted in threes, often in the festive garb of the respective area. They are equipped with fruit baskets, scepters and ears of corn or carry children, cornucopias and diapers in their hands. One asked the Matronae for protection, for fertility, for assistance to the birth. They also had their place among the goddesses of war. Until today they are part of many folk tales.
This graceful matron is nursing two babies and is sitting on a Roman wicker chair. An ornament for any shelf, writing table or bedside table!
- Original: Museé d'Argentomagnus, France
- Height: ca.15 cm
- real alabaster plaster patinated
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