Terracotta Phallus

Throughout the ages, the idea to prolong the life of a community or bloodline has been ever present. As communities were patriarchal, the importance of a son and heir was evident, and along with that came certain rituals and beliefs that needed to be followed. This red terracotta molding representing a phallus, demonstrates the importance in the rite of passage and the rituals involved with it. The hollow image is a simple monochrome piece, with no ornamentation. The suggestion of fertility is ever present, yet specific details of the ritual itself are not given. Though the continuation of the family line is not so crucial to survival today as it was then, we still have a fundamental understanding of the importance of tradition and its multi- facets.