Pendant Venus of Willendorf, bronze

Product description

Crafted from fine bronze and given an antique blackened finish, this piece is inspired by the discovery of a small Venus figurine from the Palaeolithic era. The Venus of Willendorf, found in Austria, is one of the most renowned archaeological artefacts from this period and remains a symbol of prehistoric artistry and cultural significance.

The Venus of Willendorf, estimated to be over 25,000 years old, is a small limestone figure measuring just over 11 centimetres. Discovered in 1908 near the village of Willendorf in Austria, the figurine is considered a masterpiece of Upper Palaeolithic art. It features exaggerated feminine characteristics such as wide hips, large breasts, and a rounded abdomen, symbolising fertility, abundance, and the life-giving power of nature. Whilst the figure lacks facial details, its intricate headdress or hair pattern suggests a level of artistic complexity and intention.

Venus figurines such as the one from Willendorf have been unearthed across Europe, reflecting a widespread tradition of creating symbolic representations of women during the Palaeolithic era. These figurines are thought to represent a mother goddess or an Earth goddess, embodying the concepts of fertility and survival at a time when these were central to human existence.