Timor – An Intricately Carved Ceremonial Buffalo Horn Lime Container

This  truly stunning example of a traditional, ceremonial lime container is delicately and precisely  carved with an anamorphic design.  It has an incredibly beautifully designed, carved  stopper figurine featuring a three pronged headpiece which makes this item  exceptional as well as an  extremely interesting design. As well as the fine stopper figurine, there follows a relief outline figure on the main part of the container which progresses  into intricate, fine traditional designs and at the base there are 4 protruding, carved, small  skulls surrounding  the rosewood base of this lime container.

The the material is buffalo horn which has been detailed in deep relief  with the motif "kiaf" - a traditional symbol of kinship and power.

This beautiful , exceptional ,quality, item has a wonderful patina reflecting its age and  history of previous use over the years. It  was used with great pride by the owner  to contain lime powder for traditional  ceremonial occasions.

The twin villages of Fenun and Anin (the Atoni Clans),  were the two most  renowned villages for the making of these traditional lime holders, throughout the whole  district. The Atoni people, from the Highlands region of West Timor,  have traditionally followed their  cultural practices of formal and informal "Betel Nut Ceremonies" which represent a traditional  token  of kinship, brotherhood, clan bonding and serves as a cultural sign of peace.