Lot 127A
Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A bold expression of protection and power, this pair of Roman bronze phallus amulets - known in antiquity as fascina - embodies the practical mysticism of everyday Roman life. Each cast in bronze and fitted with an integral suspension loop, these small pendants were designed to be worn on a cord, bracelet, or necklace. One example presents a gently curved phallus with rounded terminals and a central loop, while the other combines the phallic form with a projecting ring, creating a compact, sculptural silhouette. Their surfaces now bear a mottled green and brown patina, the result of centuries of burial and oxidation. Size of larger: 1.8" L x 0.8" W (4.6 cm x 2 cm)
In Roman culture, the phallus was not merely anatomical but profoundly apotropaic - meaning it was believed to ward off evil. The fascinum was thought to repel the evil eye and protect the wearer from misfortune, envy, and unseen malevolent forces. Such amulets were worn by children, soldiers, merchants, and even hung from animals or chariots. The god Fascinus himself embodied this protective force, and miniature phallic charms were ubiquitous throughout the Roman world.
These examples reflect the straightforward casting techniques of small-scale Roman bronzes, likely produced in molds for broad distribution. Their modest scale belies their cultural significance. In a society deeply attuned to omens and unseen dangers, such amulets functioned as both talisman and symbol - humorous to modern eyes perhaps, yet serious instruments of safeguarding in their original context. Together, this pair offers a tangible link to the intimate superstitions of the Roman Empire, where protection was carried not in abstraction, but worn close to the body.
Provenance: private Dayton, Maryland, USA collection; ex-private F. B. collection, Maryland, USA, acquired between 1990 to 2010
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#200358
- Condition: Weathering and abrasions to surface as shown, but, otherwise, both are intact and wearable with rich patinas throughout.
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