Bronze Vulva Pendant

Description

This unique and somewhat risqué bronze pendant is a meticulous replica of a similar item that was discovered at Hay’s Dock in London, the United Kingdom. Dated to some time in the fourteenth century, the pendant takes the form of a stylised vulva, with embossed lettering surrounding the central opening.

The wearing of explicit tokens and badges, depicting genitalia and sexuality, was an extremely common practice during the middle ages. Phallic and vulvic amulets were believed to enhance vitality and fertility, although basic vulgar humour is never to be discounted!

The embossed lettering, which reads "CON POR AMOVRS" is a pun, and may be translated as either "This, for love" or, (much more crudely!), "cunt for love".

Now, after several hundred years spent in the mud of the river Thames, this spicy token has been brought back to life, cast in jewellery-grade ancient bronze (copper and tin only), using a hand-sculpted master mould and the lost-wax method. The pendant has also been given a dark antique finish in order to highlight the written inscription and surface detail. We create our masters based on detailed study of archaeological items, then cast and hand-finish each piece in Sydney.

The overall dimensions of the frame are 31 x 19 x 3mm.