A penis with large testicles and carved symbols on the top half.
Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College

Shaped like an upside-down bell, the topmost edge is flat and a large set of testicles and a rudimentary penis with a round defined head extends downward. The upper half of the object has symbols which look like letters carved in three lines. The top row looks like E P (unknown) H C, the second row looks like B E W Y, and the third row looks like V I C T W. There are no other carved details and the surface is a brown and beige mottled color all over.

Gallery Text

Model body parts were offered at healing sanctuaries to thank a god for healing the limb or organ depicted. Large deposits of these anatomical votives include detailed representations of internal organs such as uteruses and intestines. Unlike the terracotta eye and foot, the copper alloy phallus would have been riveted to something, perhaps in a home, for good luck. Romans often wore amulets in the shape of a phallus to ward off the "evil eye."

Identification and Creation

Object Number
2012.1.131
Title
Phallus with Greek Inscription to Hermes
Classification
Sculpture
Work Type
sculpture
Date
2nd-3rd century CE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World
Period
Roman Imperial period
Culture
Roman
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/191415

Location

Location
Level 3, Room 3700, Ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Art, Roman Art
View this object's location on our interactive map

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Mixed copper alloy
Technique
Cast, lost-wax process
Dimensions
6.2 x 5 x 2.7 cm (2 7/16 x 1 15/16 x 1 1/16 in.)
Technical Details

Chemical Composition: XRF data from Artax 1
Alloy: Mixed Copper Alloy
Alloying Elements: copper, tin, lead, zinc
Other Elements: iron
K. Eremin, January 2014

Technical Observations: The patina is dark brown with lighter burial accretions. The surface is very well preserved, and no green or red corrosion products are present. The two iron mounting pins at the top, however, are completely mineralized. This and much evidence of fine wear are evidence of significant age in spite of the absence of green and red corrosion products.

The phallus was cast by the lost-wax process, probably from a model fashion directly in wax. The slightly crudely written inscription is fluid looking under magnification and was probably incised directly in the wax model. A third mounting hole at the bottom shows no iron corrosion products and was probably not used.


Henry Lie (submitted 2011)

Inscriptions and Marks
  • inscription: in Greek, in three lines:
    ἙΡΜΗϹ
    ΘΕWV
    ΝΙϹΤW

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
[Sotheby's Antiquities Auction, New York, November 21-22, 1985], sold; to The Alice Corinne McDaniel Collection, Department of the Classics, Harvard University (1985-2012), transfer; to the Harvard Art Museums, 2012.

Note: Sotheby Sale 5398, Lot 267.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Transfer from the Alice Corinne McDaniel Collection, Department of the Classics, Harvard University
Accession Year
2012
Object Number
2012.1.131
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Published Catalogue Text: Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Bronzes at the Harvard Art Museums
This depiction of male pubis, penis, and scrotum is hollow on the back and would have been attached to something via the iron rivets in the corner and the third attachment hole located in the bottom of the scrotum (1). The flaccid penis is bulbous closer to the body and tapers toward the circular tip; there is no indication of pubic hair. Located above the penis, the simple and slightly irregular incised lettering reads: “To Hermes the highest of the gods.” The inscription is in three lines.

NOTES:

1. Compare British Museum, London, inv. no. 1814,0704.1256 (votive offering); and Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, inv. nos. Fr. 1341 (with nail hole) and Misc. 7464 (applique with attachment on back).


Lisa M. Anderson

Exhibition History

  • 32Q: 3700 Roman, Harvard Art Museums, 11/16/2014 - 01/01/2050

Subjects and Contexts

  • Roman Domestic Art
  • Ancient Bronzes
  • Google Art Project

Related Digital Tours

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu