Byzantine Bronze Buckle with Erotic Image

**Originally Listed At $200**

Near East/Holy Land, Byzantine Empire, ca. 400 to 700 CE. A delightful cast bronze buckle, used for securing a leather strap, that features a motif of two men facing each other set within an ovoid border on the flat side of the buckle. One looks on with a facial expression I leave up to your interpretation as the other holds his erect, torso-sized phallus up between them. The effect was presumably meant to be both humorous and apotropaic - perhaps it will be for youas well! Size: 1.75" W x 0.95" H (4.4 cm x 2.4 cm)

Provenance: ex-Phoenicia Holyland Antiquities; ex-The Sumer Collection, H. Anavian, March 12, 2007

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.

#153618
Condition Report: Intact, with rich deposits on the surface. Motifs are well preserved and clear.