#54 • Atoni Meto Coral Funeral Mask, Timor Indonesia

Part of Professor’s Collection Part One: Pacific & Pre-Columbian Artifacts (live auction by Blue Box Auction Gallery)

High bid $110.00

Status: Sold

Estimated Value: $200-500 Origin: Atoni Meto People, Timor Indonesia, Early 1900s Dimensions:  7.5x9in Condition: There are no visible flaws Additional Information: A carved coral diminutive mask has been carved from an ancient piece of coral. Masks such as these were placed over the face of the deceased during funerary ceremonies in the early 1900s. The coral is in the shape of a face with eye holes, a nose, and a mouth hole carved out. They believed that the coral had protective magical powers. The Atonis people were known as the dry people because they were not fishermen, they lived inland in circular homes. The coral material is generations old. As with many Melanesian, Polynesian, Indonesian, Aboriginal and particularly Micronesian cultures, coral and shell are considered gifts and reliquaries from the sea.