| DATE | 1 st Century CE |
| AUTHOR | Unknown Roman artist - Italy |
| MEDIA | Marble Relief |
| SIZE | 36.8 cm (14.5") high |
| LOCATION | USA - California - Beverly Hills - Barakat Gallery |
| NOTES | This unusual creation known as the polyphallus (=multi-penis), a fantastical composite winged penis, is well known in Roman erotic art, appearing in marble sculptures such as this one as well as bronze amulets. Presumably, it functioned as a symbol of fertility and sexual potency. A naturalistically rendered phallus takes the place of the body, complete with another penis in between its legs and a phallic tail. Two large wings with carefully detailed feathers emerge from the center of the penis-back. A second tail, this one the thin wavy type generally associated with quadrupeds such as cats and dogs, rises upwards from the creatures back, in between the wings and the other phallic tail. A Greek inscription on the top, which can be interpreted as "friendly neighbor," completes the work. Judging from the inscription, we can assume that this work was intended to be humorous. |
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You will be more than welcome.