Lot 265 A PHALLIC AMULET, 2ND-3RD CENTURY BC

A phallic pendant amulet in electrum and garnet.
This unusual pendant representing an erect phallus with a loop for suspension would have been worn as an amuletic talisman by the wearer. The scale and structure of the object means that it would have been worn with a view to show others clearly the symbolism.
The use of electrum suggests an early date and given the similarity of the ribbed shaft to hollow beads from Nabataea we can probably surmise that this is related to the fertility cults from the area.
The glans is fashioned from garnet which is attached by a pin which runs through the pierced base of the inlay.
5.5 by 4 by 3.8 cm.

PROVENANCE:
From a European collection formed in the 1980's.