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CEREMONIAL SKULL
Culture Atoni, West Timor, Indonesia
Beginning of the 20th century
Bones and pigments
H: 24; W: 18; Thickness: 6 cm
Front 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 raised triangular nose and openwork almond-shaped eyes and mouth.
It is believed to be 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
Ref: Y59VYT87DM