Bawdy Gold Pendant of a Victorian Man with Hinged Phallus

Comprising a rectangular-section hoop with the shoulders formed as opposing bird-heads, the edge of the bezel decorated with similar motifs and set with a blue cabochon, likely sodalite. 8.44 grams, 29.83 mm overall, 19.82 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)



Prior English collection of Mr A.H.D. Property of a West Northamptonshire, UK, gentleman. Accompanied by an Ancient Art certificate of authenticity.

Saint George on horseback, dispatching the dragon with a spear; the saint dressed in lamellar Roman cuirass and seated on a high-ended saddle secured by breast, rump, and belly straps; Old Slavic inscription on the top, reciting Saint George (Свято́й Гео́ргий ). 90 grams, 65 mm



Acquired from Chris Martin-Zakheim, Iconastas, 5 Piccadilly Arcade, London SW1. From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

According to the Christian tradition, Saint George would have lived between the end of the 3rd century and the beginning of the 4th century: born into a noble Christian family, he became an officer in the Roman army and was then named a praetorian by Diocletian. But when the same emperor decided to resume the persecutions, Saint George became a victim despite his important political rank. His role in the development of the faith is so important that he is included among the Great Martyrs of the Eastern Church and his fight against the dragon becomes a symbol par excellence of the fight for good which defeats evil.

The hoop formed as two parallel sets of long bones set end-to-end; hollow-formed gilded bezel of a skull. 9.15 grams, 31.27 mm overall, 20.77 mm internal diameter (approximate size British T, USA 9 1/2, Europe 21.26, Japan 20)



Acquired from a Staffordshire, UK, antiques fair. Ex Buckinghamshire, UK, collection.