Punamhan Offering Box - Philippines

This box, made of dark wood with a strong crusty patina, presents a masterfully carved lizard, with a relief effect, on the top of the box lid (the lizard being a symbol of fertility and abundance). The strong patina testifies to the devotions it was the subject of. The object comes from the Ifugao region, a province of the Philippines located in the center of the island of Luzon. It is famous for the rice terraces of the Philippine cordilleras. Used by Shamans for ceremonies, particularly during the planting of rice grains, but also at harvest time. The blood of the sacrificed animals flowed onto the lid of the box and mixed with the grains of rice and areca nuts at the bottom of the box. Similar objects were presented at the exhibition at the Quai Branly Museum on the Philippines entitled: "Philippines, archipelago of exchanges" in 2013. REGION: Philippines MATERIAL: Wood PERIOD: 19th century DIMENSIONS: 11 x 56cm