Talismansthe gallery← talismans.guru
Sexual & Erotic Charms · c. 3000 BCE – today

Other & unsorted Sexual

What it is

Objects from this tradition that do not fit the types above, or whose catalogue records are too brief to sort further. Browse them for unusual forms.

History

Sexual imagery is one of the oldest and most universal forms of protection. Fertility is life itself, and the exposed phallus or vulva was believed to shock, amuse or distract malevolent forces, especially the evil eye. Egypt had its ithyphallic gods, Rome its fascinum on every child, doorway and chariot, medieval Europe its obscene badges and sheela-na-gigs, Thailand and Japan their phallic shrines and charms, China its 'spring palace' coins for newlyweds. Victorian collectors hid much of this material in 'secret museums' such as the Gabinetto Segreto in Naples and the British Museum's Secretum, and only in the late 20th century was it studied openly as religion and social history.

Making yours
Check the source record for materials and size before copying.
Sexual & Erotic Charms: the tradition

Sexual imagery is one of the oldest and most universal forms of protection. Fertility is life itself, and the exposed phallus or vulva was believed to shock, amuse or distract malevolent forces, especially the evil eye. Egypt had its ithyphallic gods, Rome its fascinum on every child, doorway and chariot, medieval Europe its obscene badges and sheela-na-gigs, Thailand and Japan their phallic shrines and charms, China its 'spring palace' coins for newlyweds. Victorian collectors hid much of this material in 'secret museums' such as the Gabinetto Segreto in Naples and the British Museum's Secretum, and only in the late 20th century was it studied openly as religion and social history.

See all 51, save the ones that feel rightAsk about having one made
The Vicarello GobletThe Vicarello GobletItaly, Vicarello (ancient Aquae Apollinares), Roman, Augustan period · 25 BCE–25 CEAmulett: Priapischer KopfAmulett: Priapischer KopfGermanySacrifice to PriapusSacrifice to PriapusLeiden MunicipalityPriapusPriapus16 th century date QS:P571,+1550-00-00T00:00:00Z/7Statuette, PantheisticStatuette, PantheisticGreco-Roman EgyptAmulett: Priapischer KopfAmulett: Priapischer KopfGermanyEAM - Priapus of EphesusEAM - Priapus of Ephesus2 nd century AD date QS:P571,+150-00-00T00:00:00Z/7Statuette, PantheisticStatuette, PantheisticGreco-Roman EgyptEAM - Headless Priapos statueEAM - Headless Priapos statue2 nd century AD date QS:P571,+150-00-00T00:00:00Z/7Statuette, PantheisticStatuette, PantheisticGreco-Roman EgyptClunia-PM 17951Clunia-PM 17951Statuette, PantheisticStatuette, PantheisticGreco-Roman EgyptLeptisMagna1LeptisMagna1Statuette, PantheisticStatuette, PantheisticGreco-Roman EgyptPhallic Amulet. 5775Phallic Amulet. 5775Statuette, PantheisticStatuette, PantheisticGreco-Roman EgyptPriaposPriaposStatuette, PantheisticStatuette, PantheisticGreco-Roman EgyptSímbolo fálico de CluniaSímbolo fálico de CluniaBas-relief of fascinusBas-relief of fascinusCastellum Tidditanorum (Tiddis), Numidia, AlgeriaCastellum Tidditanorum (Tiddis), Numidia, AlgeriaLibya (5476732626)Libya (5476732626)Priapos, marble (2nd century)Priapos, marble (2nd century)Trajan arch and Fascinum reliefs in TimgadTrajan arch and Fascinum reliefs in TimgadRömisches Phallus-AmulettRömisches Phallus-AmulettFascinum relief in Leptis MagnaFascinum relief in Leptis MagnaReimsReimsNARC-5C081 : Amulet : Roman : Lightened ImageNARC-5C081 : Amulet : Roman : Lightened ImageClunia-PM 17953Clunia-PM 17953Discourse on the worship of Priapus and its connection with the mystic theology of the ancients more figsDiscourse on the worship of Priapus and its connection with the mystic theology of the ancients more figsPhallus carving - Tiddis (Castellum Tiditanorum) (15863192992)Phallus carving - Tiddis (Castellum Tiditanorum) (15863192992)Priapos at the Ephesus Museum, TurkeyPriapos at the Ephesus Museum, TurkeyTiddis, algeria05Tiddis, algeria05A statue of Priapus, the guardian of gardens and god of natuA statue of Priapus, the guardian of gardens and god of natuA statue of Priapus, the guardian of gardens and god of natuA statue of Priapus, the guardian of gardens and god of natuEphesus Museum PriaposEphesus Museum PriaposPhallic Amulet. 2753Phallic Amulet. 2753Priapos (2nd century)Priapos (2nd century)Priapus, 2nd century AD, Ephesus MuseumPriapus, 2nd century AD, Ephesus MuseumPriapusstatue01Priapusstatue0120110908 P1080761 Amuletos Museo Conimbriga20110908 P1080761 Amuletos Museo ConimbrigaAmulettes phalliques gallo-romaines Musée Saint-RemiAmulettes phalliques gallo-romaines Musée Saint-RemiBas-relief of fascinus (cropped)Bas-relief of fascinus (cropped)Brothel sign Leptis Magna kamioxBrothel sign Leptis Magna kamioxFascinum - Clunia - Province of Burgos, SpainFascinum - Clunia - Province of Burgos, SpainPriapos gem drawingPriapos gem drawingReims - Musée Saint Rémi - Amulettes phalliques gallo-romaines en bronzeReims - Musée Saint Rémi - Amulettes phalliques gallo-romaines en bronzeAncient and modern amulets, from A discourse on the worship of Priapus, and its connection with the mystic theology of the ancientsAncient and modern amulets, from A discourse on the worship of Priapus, and its connection with the mystic theology of the ancientsAmuletAmuletAmuletAmuletAmuletAmulet

More from Sexual & Erotic Charms: Fascinum & phallic charms · Tintinnabula (charm wind-chimes) · Egyptian & Graeco-Egyptian fertility figures · Priapus & Roman erotica · Sheela-na-gigs & exhibitionist figures · Palad khik (phallic charms) · Chinese “spring” coin charms · Love charms & aphrodisiac talismans
Every type in the gallery

Anything in the gallery can be made, by hand, in the prescribed metal or yours and, where the tradition names an hour, at that hour or with a plain note that it was not. Numbered. Price on commission, quoted first. I reply within one business day.