This Roman object was known as a tintinnabulum, which hung in
the open courtyard of a house. The phallus was already known to
ward off evil, and the chiming of the bells from the wind would
also keep evil away too- so the double function of the phallus
and bells working together were thought to be very powerful. In
this particular object, the phallus has been given the animal
body parts of a bird, by the inclusion of wings, a tail, a
phallus, and legs. ‘Humanaising’, or giving animal-parts to a
phallus, was very common. Everything I learned in Classical
Studies. But seriously, I hope I get famous one day and someone
(preferably Ellen!) interviews me and asks about my collegiate
pursuits and I can talk about how the Romans would hang up
charming little flying penis. So precious, omfg.