Lot 54
Atoni Meto Coral Funeral Mask, Timor Indonesia
Sold June 27, 2025
- Price realized
- $110
Price realized is the winning bid (hammer price) and excludes buyer’s premium.
About this lot
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.
Lot details
- Lot
- 54
- Closed
- June 27, 2025
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