The cowrie shell (Cypraea) ressembles the female genitalia and has sexual connotation. Cowrie amulets were designed to ward off evil influences from the genitalia of pregnant women1. They were used throughout all periods, as actual shells in predynastic times, or as later imitations in precious metals and faience1
Detail of a collar in electrum
No dimension, Middle Kingdom
© The Trustees of the British
Museum #EA3077
Blue glaze H 3.7, W 2.5, T 0.8
Undated
© 2004 Musée du Louvre/
Georges Poncet #N 1649
References
1Andrews C. Amulets of ancient Egypt, 1994, p. 42 and Figs. 49c, 69a and 74g