Belgian Waxen Ex-Votos

In Christian tradition, ex-votos were offered when in need of divine intervention. Someone with a broken leg would offer a miniature leg and eyesight troubles could be remedied by offering a miniature pair of eyes. A votive would have also been offered after living through the specific trouble, when grace was received. These waxen examples would have then been hung in a chapel, church or home altar.

The 108 pieces in this collection come mostly from Flemish towns. Some are labeled by the original collector with the towns they originate from, among them are: Zwijndrecht, Schellebelle, Hallaar, Nieuwkerken-waas and St.-Bavo chapel Arendonk.

Sizes vary from 3.5 to 25 cm each. 19th to mid-20th century.