E19

Egyptian pottery ithyphallic group

The upper part of a solid moulded pottery figure of a seated bald man with an exaggerated erect phallus extended over his left shoulder. The tip of his phallus reaches the rear of a small crouching figure which is balanced on his head.

This is part of a well-known series of "ithyphallic" depictions from Egypt, their exact meaning is unknown but they are generally interpreted as fertility symbols rather than objects of humour.

Egypt, Roman period, 2nd or 3rd Century AD

Fragment as shown

Size: 10.3 x 5.6 cms

Ex. private collection, Yorkshire, UK; acquired before c. 1920. Part of a large collection of pottery fragments, several of which bear 19th or early 20th Century labels.