Ceremonial Skull Atoni Culture, West Timor, Indonesia Early 20th Century

CEREMONIAL SKULL
Atoni culture, West Timor, Indonesia
Early 20th century
Bone and pigments
H. 24 ; L. 18 ; Thickness 6 cm

Frontal part of an animal skull, engraved with black colored geometric incisions organized around a central square and surrounded by a Greek frieze.
The upper part forms a stylized face with a triangular nose in relief and almond-shaped eyes and mouth.

It is probably the skull of a young boar. Indeed, the ritual wanted that after having captured and eaten the wild animal, the shaman, called Dunkun, engraved the front part of its skull and became a ceremonial object allowing access to the spiritual world.

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON