Bidspirit auction | A CLASSICAL-STYLE MARBLE POLYPHALLIC FERTILITY

A CLASSICAL-STYLE MARBLE POLYPHALLIC FERTILITY VESSEL, GREEK OR ROMAN TRADITION. - An unusual carved marble polyphallic fertility vessel or sculptural object, conceived as a radiating arrangement of numerous phallic forms surrounding a central stylised element. The composition is carved from a single piece of pale, translucent, strongly veined stone, apparently marble or a marble-like calcitic stone, with the individual projections arranged in several tiers around a hollowed central area. The numerous prominently modelled phalli immediately associate the object with the fertility, apotropaic and protective symbolism of the phallus in the Classical world. Phallic imagery was widespread in both Greek and Roman culture and was particularly associated with fertility, prosperity, good fortune and protection against the evil eye. In the Roman world such imagery is commonly connected with the concept of the fascinum. L: Approximately 21.5cm