Hic habitat felicitas relief - An extraordinary lucky charm
This hic habitat felicitas relief is an eye-catcher and certainly because of the depicted phallus. What may seem obscene to us nowadays, however, was anything but vulgar in antiquity: Unveiled phallus representations were quite normal, be it in statues, in mosaics or in such hic habitat felicitas reliefs.
Home sweet home, happiness alone
Lucky charms, which were attached to houses to protect the inhabitants from bad influence and to support them, have been known since time immemorial. While in our country mainly the horseshoe was used for this purpose (and still is), in Rome, among other things, representations of phalli were also used. These were not only supposed to prevent evil influences, but also stood as a sign of strength and fertility. In this hic habitat felicitas relief is clearly stated: "This is where happiness resides." Whether for yourself or for friends, bring happiness into your home too!
- The original is now in the National Museum of Naples
- Comes from Pompei, 1st century AD.
- Hic habitat felicitas relief, dimensions: 20x27cm
- Material: alabaster plaster
- Made in Germany
Method of manufacture
Ground alabaster plaster is used for the production of this replica. This is a high-quality natural product, which is also used in art and monument conservation. This ensures that this hic habitat felicitas relief is as close as possible to the original, which is often not the case with replicas made of other types of plaster.
Romans and male nudity
Although depictions of unveiled phalli were not uncommon in art, it was by no means the case that a Roman male was unclothed in everyday life. In public bathhouses or during some sporting activities, on the other hand, nudity was common and not a cause for shame. After all, one was used to the sight of male genitals also through hic habitat felicitas reliefs.
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