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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.
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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
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