8 Roman Leaded Bronze Phallic Pendants
Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 4th century CE. A fine gathering of 8 cast leaded-bronze phallic pendants bearing petite sizes as well as layers of green and brown patina throughout. Each pendant features a slender shaft and a perpendicular set of testicles, all with an integral suspension loop above. A set of 4 phalluses have conical, delineated tips, while 2 have gently upturned tips, and the remaining 2 bear angular tips. Pendants such as these were often worn by soldiers in the field - as a sign of their masculinity - as well as by newlywed husbands hoping to increase their virility. In addition, disembodied examples like these were used as what Pliny described as a "medicus invidiae" to ward against bad luck and evil forces. Size of largest: 1.47" L x 0.57" W (3.7 cm x 1.4 cm)
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#142864
Condition Report: All pieces have minor abrasions and light encrustations, otherwise intact and very good. Great patina throughout.
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Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 4th century CE. A fine gathering of 8 cast leaded-bronze phallic pendants bearing petite sizes as well as layers of green and brown patina throughout. Each pendant features a slender shaft and a perpendicular set of testicles, all with an integral suspension loop above. A set of 4 phalluses have conical, delineated tips, while 2 have gently upturned tips, and the remaining 2 bear angular tips. Pendants such as these were often worn by soldiers in the field - as a sign of their masculinity - as well as by newlywed husbands hoping to increase their virility. In addition, disembodied examples like these were used as what Pliny described as a "medicus invidiae" to ward against bad luck and evil forces. Size of largest: 1.47" L x 0.57" W (3.7 cm x 1.4 cm)
Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#142864
Condition Report: All pieces have minor abrasions and light encrustations, otherwise intact and very good. Great patina throughout.
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Time, Location
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