WMID-84779E: Unidentified Roman object

Rights Holder: Birmingham Museums Trust
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PENDANT

Unique ID: WMID-84779E

Object type certainty: Probably
Workflow status: Awaiting validation Find awaiting validation

An incomplete copper alloy probable phallic pendant dating to the Roman period (c. AD 43-410). The object has what appears to be a shaft extending from testicles on one side, terminating in a worn break, and the remains of a suspension loop to the opposing side. The possible remains of a rivet are apparent in the outer edge of the glands. Directly above the glands there is a tapered point. The object has a dark green patina.

The overall dimensions are as follows: 34.18mm in length, 50.55mm in width, 28.04mm in depth and 46.2g in weight.

Discussion

The object is similar in form to a number of phallic pendants recorded on the PAS database, including: SF-75EC55; SF-760A21; and PUBLIC-56B4BD. In her article on phallic pendants from Suffolk, Plouviez (2005: 163) discusses that pendants of this style are relatively common across the Midlands and North of Roman occupied Britian and have been associated with either serving or retired soldiers.

Class: Phallic

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: ROMAN
Period from: ROMAN
Period to: ROMAN
Date from: Circa AD 43
Date to: Circa AD 410

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Length: 34.18 mm
Width: 50.55 mm
Thickness: 28.04 mm
Weight: 46.2 g

Personal details

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Materials and construction

Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Incomplete

Spatial metadata

Region: West Midlands (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: Warwickshire (County)
District: North Warwickshire (District)
To be known as: Grendon

Spatial coordinates


Grid reference source: Centred on field
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.

Discovery metadata

Method of discovery: Metal detector
General landuse: Cultivated land

References cited

Author Publication Year Title Publication Place Publisher Pages Reference
Plouviez, J. 2005 Whose good luck? Roman phallic ornaments from Suffolk Montagnac Monogr. Instrumentum, 29 p. 163

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Timeline of associated dates

Audit data

Recording Institution: WMID
Created: 5 years ago
Updated: 5 years ago

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