A metal detector has unearthed a bronze Celtic artefact of a man with a hinged large phallus in his right hand.
Paul Shepheard, 69, made the discovery in a stubble field in Haconby, Lincolnshire.
He dug 10 inches into the ground and came across an object he thought was a metal pin used on farm cart wheels.
But closer inspection revealed a face – and a huge, hinged phallus.
Mr Shepheard, a detectorist for 25 years, said:
“What I love about metal-detecting is that absolute surprise of what you find, and this certainly came out of the blue!”
The item, which is 5.5cm high and 1.2cm wide, is to be sold at auction at Noonans in Mayfair, London.
It has a pre-auction estimate of £800 to £1,200.
Nigel Mills, consultant at Noonans, said:
“The statue dates back to the 1st century AD and could have been a fertility idol based on the Roman god Mercury.
“This male figure with its hinged oversized phallus would have had symbolic powers of good luck and warding off evil spirits.
“It may have served as a locking mechanism as a buckle to hold a belt and scabbard for a sword.
“There is nothing quite like it, I am hoping it will attract a lot of attention.”
