Description:

Roman, Imperial period, ca. 1st to 3rd century CE. A pair of ornamental pendants, the first cast in the unmistakable form of a male member with pronounced testicles and a suspension loop, once intended for stringing. It is made of high tin bronze and takes on an almost silvery appearance. The other amulet is cast in high percentage silver and depicts a slender hand - perhaps worn by a member of the Roman army to remind him of the sweetheart he left back home. Apotropaic amulets, known in Latin as fascina, were believed to ward off evil and misfortune through the power of obscenity and divine virility. The looped design suggests these pieces were worn or mounted - perhaps on a necklace. Size: .95" L x .25" W (2.4 cm x 0.6 cm)

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

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#198170

  • Condition: Suspension loop of phallic amulet missing, else both excellent.

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February 1, 2026 12:00 PM 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