Roman House Shrine

The Romans were highly superstitious so their homes had small shrineswith images of gods to bring good fortune and protection.Try making your own shrine or ‘Lararium’, personalised for your family.

Roman House Shrine

Skill Level

Beginner. Adult supervision needed

Time to Make

2 hours + drying time for glue, ModRoc and paint.

Adult Supervision Needed

Yes

How to Make

  1. Open out a Secret keepsake Box. Carefully remove both box sections from the backing card.
  2. Use the larger box section for the main part of the shrine. Glue it onto the shallow box section as a base. Leave to dry.
  3. To make the pillars, cut 2 pieces of card 12cm x 12cm. Roll each piece around a marker pen to make a tube, tape down the side then slide the tube off the pen. Glue the 2 tubes so they stand on either side of the box. Leave to dry.
  4. To make the triangular pediment (roof) measure a triangle onto the left over backing card from the box. Use the full length (approx 15cm) for the triangle base. Measure 6cm up from the middle of the base, draw the triangle sides (approx 9.5cm) then cut it out.
    Repeat to make another matching triangle from the left over card.
  5. Apply plenty glue to the top of the upright box then press the 2 triangles at the end, hold until the triangles stay in place then leave to dry lying flat.
  6. Cut a 5cm wide card strip from A4 sheet, measuring approx 21cm. Fold the strip it in half then glue it over the pediment. Dry.
  7. Cut 12-15 strips of ModRoc 10cm in length. Dip the strips one at a time into water, soak for 30 seconds, squeeze out any excess water then smooth over the shrine until it is completely covered. Smooth the surface with your fingers and leave to dry.
  8. Mix a mid-grey paint colour from white, and a small amount of brown and dark blue or black. Paint all over the dried ModRoc and leave to dry. Brush pale grey or white over the top to make a stone effect, then add some darker grey to add lines onto the pediment and pillars. Leave to dry.
  9. Draw some Roman gods or design your own figures and decoration onto card. Colour them in then cut out. Glue them onto the middle of the shrine, or to make a standing figure, allow an extra 2cm at the base to fold the card.
  10. Add some leaves, herbs or flowers to your shrine with an LED tea light.
Roman House Shrine Roman House Shrine Roman House Shrine

Top Tip

Support the roof pieces with thick card or an eraser between the card triangles while the glue dries, so they stay evenly spaced.

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