A glimmer of light into the lives of a vanished
people can often be seen through the objects
they have left behind for posterity. Especially
when the image is as recognizable and powerful
as this phallus. Apart from male dominance and
its many implications, the erect male member
stands for the all-important issue of fertility and
procreation. In many societies a man needs a
child, not only to pass on his legacy, but also to
offer prayers once he has passed into the spirit
world. For this purpose a phallus was made to
represent the ultimate in virility, and used in
ritual ceremonies in order to heighten sexuality,
or perhaps as a cure for impotency. It is in fact
very skillfully created and intended to be
realistic, with its veins exposed and ribbing near
the fold. A hole through the center adds to the
realism and may have had a specific purpose in
the ceremony. Pebbles placed inside the hollow
testicles turns it into a variety of musical
instrument. Men dancing in frenzy, rattling these
grand objects must have made a very impressive
spectacle! L.25.2cm(9 3/4IN)
- (PF.4456)
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