SOUTH GERMAN, 17TH CENTURY, EBONY CABINET INLAID WITH IVORY AND BONE ELEMENTS CONTAINING FIFTEEN SOUTH ITALIAN, SPANISH AND SOUTH GERMAN PHALLUS-SHAPED CORAL AMULETS, 16TH/17TH CENTURY AND LATER |

the cabinet surmounted by a small gilt-bronze bust of an Emperor ; the amulets with silver-gilt mounts, some of them enamelled and one with a cameo

The cabinet is in very good condition overall, with minor scratches and dents visible in some places consistent with age and handling. The key is missing. The gilt-bronze bust finial should be reattached. The inside of the cabinet appears to have been later subdivided into 15 compartments to display the amulets. The corals appear to be in very good condition overall. Some pieces have associated elements. The corals date mostly from the 19th and 20th centuries with two or three exceptions. We have numbered them from 1 - 15, reading from top to bottom and left to right; (all suspension rings probably later) 1- probably 17th / 18th century 2- 19th century with addition 3- probably modern 4- modern 5- probably 19th century 6- modern 7- 19th century 8-probably 18th / 19th century 9- 19th / 20th century 10- modern 11- 19th / 20th century 12- modern 13- 19th century and additions 14- probably 19th / 20th century 15- probably 18th century
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Pan, Priape, satyres... phallic representations are omnipresent in Antique history. In Egypt, it is linked to the Osiris myth. Isis, trying to put back together all of Osiris' body parts modelled a phallus to replace her husband's missing one, allowing him to enter the Kingdom of the dead. The Greeks also made the phallic culture their own and gave the virile procreating organ its autonomy. The phallus is freed from the human body to become the sacred object itself. During the "phallories", it is exhibited in processions.

After Osiris, the phallus is associated to Dionysus, deity of immoderation, excess and virile strength, and later on to Bacchus. The walls of Greek and Roman houses are covered with them to bring protection and fertility upon the homes. From the infinitely grand to the infinitely small, the phallus is erected in monumental Herms or wrapped around children's necks. These ithyphallic (representing an erect penis) lucky charms, serve as prophylactic amulets.

One cannot forget the worship of Priapus where Romans offered their young brides 'virginity to the voracious deity.

Sporadic during the Christian era, phallic representations reappear during the Middle Ages, making a foray into Roman church's modillions and column heads.

During the 7th century in Provence, the phallus of saint Fourtin de Varailles, considered as the relic of the martyred bishop, is piously stroked by the believers to bring fertility and protection.

During the Renaissance, the phallus is freed from is status of divine object and becomes a curiosity – or even the object of all curiosity...

Might it be in alabaster, coral, rock crystal, pietra dura, or semi-precious stones, might it be decorated with gold, enamel, gems, or cameos; the phallus is avidly and passionately collected. It becomes the subject of a new, more confidential devotion, one of connoisseurs of its kunstkammer.

At the turn of the 20th century, with the birth of psychoanalysis, the phallus wins new territory in the field of Human science. From erotic subjects, to Picasso's animal strength and surrealist esoteric fantasies, from Dada delirium to Mapplethorpe's black and white icons, the phallus intrigues, scares and attracts. Beyond the centuries, the subjects, the beliefs, it is an unstoppable source of inspiration.

"Phalanx of angels, in place of the angelus choose phalluses."
(Robert Desnos, Rrose Sélavy, 1922)