Roman lead phallus amulet
Price: on request
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Object number
AR3368-01
| Object: |
Amulet shaped as a phallus, so-called Fascinum or Fascinus
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| Material: |
Lead
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| Date: |
About 1st century B.C. - 3rd century A.D. Roman |
| Description: |
Amulet shaped as two erect phalli with central lug. The Romans, as many modern societies, believed that certain people had the power to hurt others by their looks, the so-called "evil eye". The most popular amulet to avert the influence of the evil eye was the erect phallus, which can also be understood as a personification of the deity Fascinus. Such apotropaic amulets were carried hung round the neck, or placed in houses in gardens, on hearths or at working places. |
| Size: |
Height 52 mm, width 79 mm.
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| Condition: |
Perfect condition, nice white patina.
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| Provenance: |
Acquired 2022 in a Swiss auction house. Ex Swiss private collection Odermatt, acquired in the 1970s - 1980s.
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| Authenticity: |
We unconditionally guarantee the authenticity of every artefact, all items are subject to our lifetime return policy on authenticity.
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