Description:

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A heavy bronze quillion, or crossguard, from a dagger in the form of a fan at one end and a phallus on the other, cast as part of a rectangular piece with a round fitting drilled through it for attaching it to the handle of the dagger. Phalluses are common Roman symbols and, when depicted disembodied like this one, they were used as what Pliny wrote of as a "medicus invidiae", wards against the evil eye. Comes with custom stand. Size: 2.25" L x 0.7" W (5.7 cm x 1.8 cm); height on stand: 1.55" (3.9 cm)

Provenance: private York, England collection acquired before 1990

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#121487

  • Condition: Smooth dark green patina, with much detail remaining.

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May 18, 2017 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
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$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000