Archaic Herm with Erect Phallus

Creator

• Unknown

Files

Publisher

Saskia, Ltd., Cultural Documentation

Publication Date

1966

Time Period

circa 520 BCE

Abstract

Full length, view from frontal center

Keywords

Greek Late Archaic period, Sculpture (Visual works), Herms

Alt Text

A stone sculpture depicting a human bust grinning atop a pedestal that features an erect phallus on its front.

Extent

1 color photograph

Geographic Location

Greece; Siphnos (Greece : Municipality)

Rights

This material is licensed by USF Libraries for the research and teaching needs of USF students, staff, and faculty only. See: https://lib.usf.edu/collections-and-discovery/collection-management/user-terms/

Access Restrictions

Only thumbnail images and descriptive information are available to non-USF users. Full access to this collection is available only to authorized users on the USF network on campus or via VPN.

Media Type

Color photographs

Format

Digital Only

Note

This statue is a herm, defined as a squared stone pillar with a carved head on top (typically Hermes), sometimes with genitals carved on the front. Hermes was the patron of travelers, therefore herms were constructed on roads and at crossroads. The phallus served as a symbol of both pleasure and an apotropaic element that warded off negative energy. An identifiable form that originated in ancient Greece, it was adopted by the Romans and revived at the Renaissance. This statue is attributed to a workshop on the island of Siphons (modern day Sifnos). This object is currently held at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, Greece.

Identifier

A01-JGC0309

Recommended Citation

Unknown, "Archaic Herm with Erect Phallus" (1966). Art and Art History Collection (Saskia). 339.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/saskia/339