Description:

Roman, Imperial, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. An excellent leaded bronze figure of the Greco-Roman god Priapus - god of fertility and protector of vegetation, livestock, and male genitals - standing nude save for a pointed hood or cucullus that is usually typical of a genius cucullatus (hooded spirit) or Telesphorus, the child-god of healing. Featuring a youthful, beardless visage, the god holds a plate of offerings, supported by both his hands as well as his giant, erect, phallus. Size: 1" W x 2.5" H (2.5 cm x 6.4 cm); 3.7" H (9.4 cm) on included custom stand.

Serving as the inspiration for the modern-day garden gnome, statues of Priapus in a pointed hat were commonly placed in the gardens of ancient Greece and Rome, where he served as a guardian of the home and a threat to potential thieves. Furthermore, due to high acclaim throughout the Roman Empire, he inspired "Priapeia" - a collection of 80 (some editions featuring 95) anonymous, obscene Latin poems pertaining to Priapus, thought to date to the 1st century CE or the early 2nd century CE. Priapus' permanent erection gave rise to the medical term priapism.

Published: J. Eisenberg, Art of the Ancient World, vol. XXIII (2012), no. 74

Provenance: ex-Royal Athena Galleries, New York City, New York, USA; ex-Munich art market, 2011; ex-private Vienna, Austria collection, from the 1980s

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#190843

    Condition:
  • Light surface wear as shown, but otherwise, intact and excellent with nice remaining detail and slight patina to areas.

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January 23, 2025 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000