Roman phallic amulet

Roman phallic amulet
ITEM: Phallic amulet
MATERIAL: Bronze
CULTURE: Roman
PERIOD: 1st - 3rd Century A.D
DIMENSIONS: 22 mm x 40 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex Spanish private collection, acquired before 1990s

Comes with Certificate of Authenticity and Export Licence. If you are from outside the European Union, we will have to apply for the export licence again for your country, this takes 3 to 5 weeks and has a cost of 5% of the hammer price, this amount will be added to the final invoice.

Roman phallic amulets were small, often highly stylized objects believed to possess protective and fertility-related powers. These amulets were commonly worn as jewelry or carried as charms, particularly by men, as a means of warding off the evil eye or any form of malevolent influence. The phallus, as a symbol, was deeply embedded in Roman culture, representing not only fertility and virility but also good luck and protection from harm. These amulets were made from various materials, including bronze, silver, or terracotta, and were typically shaped as a stylized or exaggerated form of the male genitalia, often accompanied by other symbols such as horns or a hand raised in a gesture of protection.

The use of phallic amulets in the Roman world had both public and private aspects. In private contexts, they were often worn by individuals to ensure personal health, fertility, or success in love and marriage. They were also seen as a defense against envy or jealousy, especially from rivals or ill-wishers. In public contexts, such amulets were sometimes displayed in homes, marketplaces, or workshops, serving as a sign of good fortune and the safeguarding of prosperity. The phallus was also associated with the god Priapus, a deity of fertility, gardens, and agricultural prosperity, and many phallic amulets were dedicated to him as a form of invocatory charm for increased harvests and general well-being.

Phallic amulets were widespread throughout the Roman Empire, especially in the regions of Italy, Gaul, and North Africa, reflecting a shared belief in the power of this symbol across the empire's diverse cultures. They were commonly found in archaeological sites related to domestic and commercial activities, including homes, bathhouses, and marketplaces. In addition to their practical and symbolic purposes, the presence of phallic amulets in Roman graves suggests their role in ensuring a safe journey to the afterlife and continued protection beyond death.

Measurement:

4 x 2.2 cm