Gallo-Roman bronze statuettes showing Priapus

Gallo-Roman bronze statuettes depicting Priapus. The objects were found in Picardy, northern France. The objects consist of two parts, where one of the layers presents a great phallus. Dated to the 1st century CE.

In ancient Rome, Priapus was initially the guardian of orchards and vineyards, and later also of fertility and fertility. In the gardens, statues or herms depicting Priap were often placed with a prominent member in the state of erection, at which sacrifices were made from the first crops.