Pearl Shell Phallocrypt

Australian Aborigine Pearl Shell Phallocrypt. This loin bears a single perforation at top for suspension. Private Cincinnati collection ex•estate of Ursula Laurens.

A pearl shell phallocrypt is a type of penis sheath, traditionally worn by men in certain Aboriginal Australian cultures, particularly in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. These ornaments are crafted from pearl shell (nacre) and are often engraved with intricate designs, sometimes filled with red ochre. They are not merely decorative but hold significant cultural and spiritual meaning, often associated with ceremonial practices and totemic symbolism.