Belgian Wax Ex-Votos

Belgian wax ex-voto collection. 

In Christian tradition, ex-votos were offered when in need of divine intervention. Someone with a broken leg would offer a miniature leg. Eyesight troubles could be remedied by offering a miniature pair of eyes. They would have also been offered after living through the specific trouble, when grace was received. These wax votives 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 were found in, 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.