Lot 15
**Originally Listed At $300**
Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A fascinating pair of Roman copper alloy amulets, each cast in a highly stylized anthropomorphic form with potent symbolic undertones. Both feature suspension loops above abstracted bodies, marking them as pendants intended to be worn for protection and good fortune. The more petite example takes on a distinctly phallic character, with two small phalluses extending laterally at the shoulders and a larger member projecting forward from the center beneath the body. This triple phallic arrangement is strongly linked to apotropaic power in Roman culture, where representations of the fascinus (the divine phallus) were believed to avert the evil eye and bring prosperity. The flared base and schematic shaping suggest both human and generative qualities combined in one talismanic form. Size of larger: 1.8" L x 1.4" W (4.6 cm x 3.6 cm)
The larger amulet, by contrast, is diamond-shaped with a central cutout and rounded lateral projections, evoking a torso with outstretched arms. While less explicitly sexual, its bold geometric outline and circular void may equally reflect ideas of fertility, vitality, and continuity. Copper alloy, admired in antiquity for its durability and luster, was a common medium for amulets, ensuring their use in both daily life and ritual practice. The surfaces of these pendants display rich patinas of brown and green, evidence of their centuries-long burial and preservation. Together, this pair encapsulates the Roman conviction that power resided not just in naturalistic images, but in the abstract and symbolic.
Provenance: private Dayton, Maryland, USA collection; ex-private F. B. collection, Maryland, USA, acquired between 1990 - 2010
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#195840
- Condition: Both have weathering to surface commensurate with age, but are otherwise intact and very nice with rich patina. More petite is wearable, but larger is not recommended for wear due to fragility of suspension loop.
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| 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 |