palad khik (Amulet)

Fertility amulet. Palad Khik originated in India and relate to the Hindu god Shiva. There are also animistic symbols of fertility. The carvings can be made from wood, metal, bone, horn or ivory, and are often created by monks, who specialize in them.

Phallic-shaped amulet with a human-like figure wrapped around the top. Smiling facial features are carved in relief; hair(?), pulled back with band, across back of figure. Spiral motifs carved along length of amulet. Square protrusion on top of amulet with a circular cutout, for hanging purposes.