Description:

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century BCE; Near East, Islamic culture, ca. 9th to 11th century CE. A pair of ancient glass pieces - a phallus amulet and a tiny molar flask fragment. The phallic-form pendant made from white and black glass, pulled and manipulated into a short shaft, a conical tip, and a pair of testes and a suspension loop. Phalluses are common Roman symbols of strength, fertility, and virility and, when depicted disembodied like this example, were used as what Pliny wrote of as a "medicus invidiae" to ward against the evil. The glass jar fragment once had a flared spout rim for holding cosmetics or perfumes. The glass is very thick from mold pouring rather than blowing and has developed a gorgeous pearlescent surface over the ages. Size of phallus: 1.3" L x 0.75" W (3.3 cm x 1.9 cm)

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#181785

  • Condition: Molar jar is a fragment and missing spout. beautiful iridescnece and mineral deposits on the interior. Phallic pendant is repaired with tip of shaft reattached with adhesive. Light mineral deposits on surface.

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December 14, 2023 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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