Description:

**Originally Listed At $250**

Roman, Imperial Period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A set of 4 bronze quillons (sometimes quillions), or cross guards, from daggers, each in the form of a hand on one end (a simple representation of a mano fica - mildly obscene gesture to ward off evil) 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. Size of largest: 2" L x .75" W (5.1 cm x 1.9 cm)

Provenance: private Dayton, Maryland, USA collection; ex-private F. B. collection, Maryland, USA, acquired between 1990 - 2010

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

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#195518

  • Condition: Each intact and excellent.

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Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

February 8, 2026 10:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$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