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LOT 0839
Roman Glass Phallic Amulet
1ST CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.
1 1/4 in. (11.4 grams, 32 mm).
Modelled in the round with applied red-glass collar, pierced through the shaft for suspension.
ProvenanceAcquired in the mid 1980s-1990s.
Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent.
Private collection, since the late 1990s.
See Rolland, H., Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, item 425, for type, but in bronze; for a similar ceramic phallus-amulet see Devlova, P., Manova, R., Rangelov, B., Avdeev, G., ‘Interdisciplinary Studies of a phallus-shaped jewellery from Apollonia Pontica, Bulgaria,’ in Acta Musei Tiberiopolitani, vol.5, Strumica, 2024, pp.98-109, fig.2.
FootnotesIn the Roman world, the phallus was a symbol of luck or fertility, and it was believed to have apotropaic functions. Pendants, amulets and small objects were worn by all sorts of people as symbols of protection, especially by young children, according to Varro and Pliny the Elder. The phallus is also commonly found on reliefs, frescoes and lamps from the Graeco-Roman world.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0839
Roman Glass Phallic Amulet
Estimate £400 - 600€460 - 700 (for guidance only)$540 - 810 (for guidance only)
Opening Bid
£200 (EUR 232; USD 270) ‡+BP*
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Large Roman Glass Roundel with Cupid
1st-4th century A.D.Estimate: £60 - 80 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £5
Pale yellow domed disc showing nude Cupid in a dynamic pose, holding a bow in his hand. 10.4 grams, 29 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s. -
Large Roman Terracotta Oil Lamp with 'Fallen Amazon' and Horse
Circa 1st-2nd century A.D.Estimate: £150 - 200 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Shallow oil lamp with narrow nozzle, the discus with a dynamic scene of an advancing horse moving to the right with a fallen Amazon hanging on to its bridle; inked collector's number '220' on the base. 115 grams, 12.3 cm
Ex important German collection, 1960-1990. -
Roman Red Variegated Gemstone with Elephant
3rd century A.D.Estimate: £600 - 800 (+bp*)
Bids: 1 | Current Bid: £5
Scaraboid type with incuse design to the underside of an elephant with stars above; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 3.04 grams, 17 mm
From the private collection of a European gentleman (1942-2024), formed since the 1970s.
The Romans first encountered elephants in Pyrrhos' army, and the representation of elephants in Roman art begins from this period. Victorious emperors like Caesar and Vespasian celebrated elephants on their coins. Apart from the celebration of elephants as ‘war machines’, the image of elephants was linked to other aspects in the Roman Imperial Period. Before becoming emperor, Elagabalus was one of the priests of Helios-Sun worship in Emesa. He had elephant depictions on his coins during his reign. The elephants raise their heads to the sun when the sun rises. Thus, the sun is represented on the gemstone together with the elephant.
