"Punamhan Ceremonial Box, Ifugao People, Luzon Island, Philippines "
This small
Punamhan box, formerly used by a ritual master (
mumbaki) for ceremonies surrounding rice harvests, must have contained animal bones and little statues. It is decorated at the ends with two stylized pig heads used as handles.
The object is covered with a beautiful dry patina. An old break at the bottom of a head.
Northern Luzon Island, Philippines, late 19th - early 20th century.