An Articulated Neapolitan Gold Votive Phallus

Period: 1900-2000

Origin: Italy

Medium: gold

Literature: To the ancient Romans the phallus was a talisman that had a prophylactic and an apotropaic power. Linked to the origin of life and the most powerful force of nature the phallus was, and indeed still is, symbolic of the generative power that brings abundance and happiness. Pendants in the shape of a phallus were often worn as amulets to protect against the evil eye and are sometimes worn today in Italy as a ‘lucky charm’.