ITALY

ITALY, two satyrs, Venetian School, cast bronze medal, 16th century, a satyr head to left, incorporating some animal features, rev., a satyr-head to left, composed of a tangle of phalluses and testicles, 40.5mm (Attwood 416). Very fine, scarce.

The phallus-head medals are linked with the well-known poet Pietro Aretino (1492-1557), who was famous for his satirical poems. There have been several suggestions for the medal; that Aretino commissioned it and that the obverse is Paolo Giovio; that it is revenge by someone insulted by Aretino; that it alludes to Aretino's homosexuality. One variety depicts Aretino on the obverse and the medal has legends on both sides. As an image, the phallus-head first appeared in a drawing attributed to Cecchino del Salviati and also on a maiolica plate from 1536.