anatomical votive;
case
- Museum number
- WITT.116
- Description
-
Votive phallus; amber; in leather and velvet case.
- Production date
-
18thC-19thC (votive phallus)
-
19thC (leather case)
- Dimensions
-
Length: 3.50 inches
- Curator's comments
- Text from Witt Manuscript Catalogue, 'Roman' no. 14:
'Votive Phallus in amber, It is well known that amber was much esteemed by the Romans and regarded by them as very precious. From it were fabricated drinking vessels, and personal ornaments. The adoption of this substance for a votive offering (if such it be) seems to shew that the Donor wished to enhance the value and sanctity of his gift by the costliness of the material.'
The objects is now thought to be of 18th or 19th century date.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
2007 Oct 11-2008 Jan 27, London, Barbican Gallery, 'Seduced: the art of sex'
- Acquisition date
- 1865
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- WITT.116
- Additional IDs
-
Miscellaneous number: 14 (Witt Collection MSS Catalogue - 'Roman' (yellow label))
-
Miscellaneous number: W.116
