Model of a Right Foot, 4th-2nd century BCE

Model of a Right Foot

4th-2nd century BCE · Sculpture

Can I see it?

Yes, on view now

Where is “Model of a Right Foot” now? Harvard Art Museums, Gallery 3700, floor 3, Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Art, Cambridge. Yes, on view now. Checked September 29, 2026.

Harvard Art Museums

Cambridge, United States

Room3700, floor 3, Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Art

On public display.

Checked
In this state since
Source
The museum

About the sculpture

Model body parts were offered at healing sanctuaries to thank a god for healing the limb or organ depicted. Large deposits of these anatomical votives include detailed representations of internal organs such as uteruses and intestines. Unlike the terracotta eye and foot, the copper alloy phallus would have been riveted to something, perhaps in a home, for good luck. Romans often wore amulets in the shape of a phallus to ward off the "evil eye."

Harvard Art Museums

Details

Accession number
2012.1.98

In the catalog

Sources

In the same room · Gallery 3700, floor 3, Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Art, Harvard Art Museums

Museum page