Roman Phallic Pendant with Loops

CIRCA 1ST CENTURY A.D.

3 1/4 in. (52.4 grams, 83 mm).

A bronze horse harness pendant composed of three concentric circles surmounted by a bearded figure to which is attached a suspension ring, the body of the figure engraved and ending with phallic attributes.

Provenance

Acquired before 2000.
From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK.

Literature

Cf. Fernández González, J.J., ‘Around Eras del Bosque (Palencia) and the pieces of harness from the Roman Necropolis’ in Oppidum, Cuadernos de investigaciόn, no.17, Segovia, 2021, pp.61-76, fig.7, for similar harness pendant.

Footnotes

Roman military harness included pendants of various typology, ranging from lunules to other decorative elements, often phallic, with the possible intention of protecting the animal. This particular pendant could be connected to the bearded image of the god Priapus.

CONDITION

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LOT 0696