Oceania, Papua New Guinea highlands, ca. mid-20th century CE; Southeast Asia, Thailand, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A koteka, also known as a horim, penis gourd, or penis sheath, made from a hollowed gourd with a rattan weave around the rim and cord to tie around the wearer. The koteka is worn by indigenous men in the western parts of PNG, and the decoration and form relate to their tribal affiliation, with men from the same tribe wearing the same style. The other phallic object is a palad khik carved from buffalo horn into a penis, and engraved with a dragon and inscriptions, then highlighted with gold paint within the incised areas. A hole for suspension is bored through one end to wear as an amulet or to present to a shrine / altar to promote fertility or luck. Palad khik is a Thai phrase that translates to "honorable surrogate penis" and originates from the phallic Shiva lingam. Size of gourd: 3" L x 1.75" Diameter x 9" H (7.6 cm x 4.4 cm x 22.9 cm); 11" H (27.9 cm) included custom stand.

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California Collection

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#141653

Gourd sheath is repaired, hairline break lines encircling the body and upper and lower half reattached with adhesive. Phallic carving has minor nicks, otherwise intact. Clear fixative coating added to the surface.