The over 8000 terracotta ex-voto come from a sacred area associated with a curative water spring, excavated at Ponte di Nona along the Via Prenestina, roughly 15 km east of Rome. The votive objects reveal the beliefs, desires and worries of the many worshippers who came to this small rural sanctuary. Representations of feet, hands, limbs and eyes were offered to the deity to pray for healing. They mostly concern the diseases, injuries and deformations which afflicted agricultural workers. Several male and female heads, veiled or unveiled, are representations of the devotees themselves and were left in remembrance of divine intercession.
With the exception of a few pieces clearly created using quality moulds, most of the pieces are unsophisticated – objects which would have been affordable to a local community with limited resources. Rural life is also reflected in the ex-voto featuring animals, whose healing and well-being was also prayed for.