Bronze phallic ornament

Unknown

1st century CE · Bronze · Greek and Roman Art

This ornament probably hung as a charm from a tintinnabulum, a wind chime adorned with bells and intended to ward off evil. These phallic tintinnabula were doubly apotropaic, the protective effect of the phallus strengthened by the ringing of the bells. The phallus on these objects could take many different forms, transforming into a wolf, dog, beast, lion, monster, or winged creature.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1st century CE

Medium

Bronze

Culture

Roman

Department

Greek and Roman Art

Credit line

Gift of A. Hyatt Mayor, 1960