PHALLIC OBJECT

A small, cast lead alloy phallic object, probably of Roman date, AD 43 - 410. It is three dimensionally modelled and consists of a pair of testes, an erect shaft and a glans. The glans is defined by a narrow, transverse groove across the underside of the shaft at the outer end. It is not so well defined on the upper surface. At the inner end of the shaft, between the testes, is a small, circular perforation. It is possible that this was for suspension, allowing the amulet to be worn as a pendant. The lead has a creamy-white patina. The pendant is 22.1mm long, 14mm wide and 6.1mm thick. It weighs 6.51gm.

The phallus was a powerful apotropaic symbol throughout the Roman world and phallic amulets in a variety of materials were correspondingly popular and numerous. However, no similar objects in lead alloy have been found on the PAS database. In lead, the closest examples are BH-E83283 and BH-AC3A03. Gold examples of phallic pendants on the database include SWYOR-E56143 and NMS-94CA46. Copper alloy pendants include SF-760A21 and DUR-487BF0. There are also copper alloy mounts such as SUSS-8D7353 and amulets such as LIN-9273A8.

DUR-487BF0 notes that "Phallic pendants are more common [on] Roman military sites in the North or urban sites elsewhere. This has led Plouviez (2005) to suggest that these pendants may be linked to the Roman military especially due to their potentially aggressive aspect."