Roman Gold Amulet in the Shape of a Phallus. 1st-2nd century A.D. or later Amuletic pendant of a phallus with testes, square suspension loop to the rear. See Rolland, H., Bronzes Antiques de Haute Provence, Paris, 1965, items 424-425, for type. 8.35 grams, 23 mm (1 in.). (For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price.)

Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate no.12593-232171. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Phallic amulets, symbols of fertility, prosperity and happiness in the Roman world, are represented by numerous examples in most museums and in many private collections. The typologies are various within the four main series: a) phallus seen from the front; b) phallus seen from the side; c) double phallus and d) triple phallus.

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