ROMAN BRONZE PRIAPUS STATUETTE

ROMAN BRONZE PRIAPUS STATUETTE

Son of Zeus, god of virility and fertility, standing, his tunica open at front showing his everlasting erection, bearing a cloth with fruits in his hands, supported by his penis. Cast to reel-shaped base.

Ex priv. coll. H.v.H., Netherlands. before, coll. J.C. Leonard, Belgium 1960s
H. 9 cm. Green and redbrown patina

1st-2nd cent. AD

cf. The larger statues of this type were used in Roman gardens as scarecrow, his usually enormous penis as a threat for thieves