Bronze phallic ornament

1st century CE

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 171

This ornament probably hung as a charm from a tintinnabulum, a wind chime adorned with bells and intended to ward off evil. These phallic tintinnabula were doubly apotropaic, the protective effect of the phallus strengthened by the ringing of the bells. The phallus on these objects could take many different forms, transforming into a wolf, dog, beast, lion, monster, or winged creature.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Bronze phallic ornament
Period: Imperial
Date: 1st century CE
Culture: Roman
Medium: Bronze
Dimensions: L. 4 1/16 in. (10.3 cm.)
Classification: Bronzes
Credit Line: Gift of A. Hyatt Mayor, 1960
Object Number: 60.117.1
Curatorial Department: Greek and Roman Art

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Bronze phallic amulet, Bronze, Roman — Bronze phallic amulet
Roman
1st century CE

Bronze phallic ornament, Bronze, Roman — Bronze phallic ornament
Roman
1st century CE

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