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HOME :
Asian Art :
Art of Tibet : Carved ivory phallic-shaped amulet
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Carved ivory phallic-shaped amulet - OF.071
Origin: Tibet
Circa: 1900
BC
Dimensions:
2.65" (6.7cm) high
Collection: Asian Art
Style: Erotica
Medium: Ivory
Additional Information: f.
£4,500.00
Location: Great Britain
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| Description |
Phallic representations were considered
an
embodiment of a masculine generative
power
and were regarded as sacred by most
ancient
civilisations.
Very often the graphic representation of
the
reproductive power a phallus was used to
ward
off the evil eye, the prevention of illness or
accidents.
Phallic charms, often winged, were
ubiquitous in
ancient Roman culture, from jewellery to
bells
and from wind chimes to oil lamps.
Such amulets were thought particularly to
ward
off evil from young children, mainly boys,
and
also to avert envy from victorious and
conquering
military generals.
Pliny the Elder writes about the custom of
hanging a phallic charm from a baby's
neck
and
modern archaeological excavations have
provided numerous such examples of
phallic-
shaped charms and phallus-bearing rings
which
are too small to be worn except by
children.
The Palad Khik, translated as “honorable
surrogate penis” is a kind of oriental
amulet
also
in the shape of a human penis. These
amulets
range in length from a few inches to
several
feet
long. The smaller versions are usually
worn
on
the person while the larger versions are for
public display. Palad Khik originated in
India
and
relates to the Hindu god Shiva; as a
phallic
representation of Shiva it is also
considered
as an
animistic symbol promoting the
endowment
and
effectiveness of fertility.
Palad khik amulets must be activated and
empowered by the repetition of
incantations
and
are usually worn by males on a cord
around
their
waist, under their garments and to one
side
from
their actual penis. It is not unusual for a
male to
wear a number of Palad khiks at the same
time,
in the hope to attract various sexual
partners,
increase his gambling luck and seek
protection
from any bodily harm. At times, women in
Thailand would also carry such charms in
their
purses as to be guarded from rape and
mugging.
Shop owners often display them in their
shops or
near the cash register area as to protect
their
business and also in the hope of
conveying
good
luck and affluent sales.
The collection of antiquities assembled
by
Sigmund Freud in the decade between
1920
and
1930 included a number of phallic amulets
made
of bronze, faience and ivory. Freud
believed
that
his figurines were ancient, and in fact they
were,
but probably some of his phallic amulets
were
not as antique but had been created much
later,
during the 18th and 19th century, very
much
like
the present amulet.
Carved female figure appearing in the
usual
body
posture one would have often
encountered
on
mermaid figureheads on the bow of sailing
ships,
with both her hands clasping her tarsal
area
though her legs instead of toes are
terminating
in fins.
Her long hair is tidy tied in bunches,
descending
over her slender torso and partially
covering
her
breasts completed by asymmetrical
nipples,
framing an oval and proportionally regular
face
of Caucasian physiognomic traits.
Incisions on both her upper arms and
wrists,
around her neck and around her waist
could
be
considered as an allusion to jewellery or to
decorative tattoos.
Her genitalia is indicated with precision
and
accuracy.
Signs similar to tattoos are also to be seen
on the
outer surface of her thighs.
The figure seems to be leaning entirely
against
the shaft of a proportionally gigantic
phallus,
it’s
glans and urethral meatus chiseled with
accuracy
and naturalism.
On the reverse a prostrate figure of fish-
like
form from the waist-down, with both
forearms
brought to the front, enclosing a small
triangular
face of linear and angular characteristics,
very
much resembling that of an African mask
and
with scaly fish tails instead of legs, very
possibly
a merman.
- (OF.071)
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