The famous tintinnabula are nothing more than bronze rattles operated by the wind and composed of several bells tied to a single structure.
These objects, almost fashionable at the time of Ancient Rome, often depicted the male genitalia in erection, sometimes represented in a fanciful way, for example with wings, or portrayed characters such as knights bizarre, or scary dwarfs. But these figures so exposed, were nothing more than a way to ward off bad luck and the evil eye. Sometimes equipped with animal legs, the tintinnabula were displayed on the doors of houses or in front of shops and were often accompanied by lamps.
One of the most famous phalluses of the Cabinet is the one depicting a mouse and a turtle.
It is certain that these amazing forms of art represent how in ancient times their value was completely different from the aspect they boast today: useful against bad luck, as if they were a frame to hang everywhere!
