Timor – An Intricately Carved Ceremonial Buffalo Horn Lime Container

This traditional, ceremonial lime container is delicately carved with an anamorphic design.  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 quality  item has a wonderful patina reflecting its age, history of previous use. It  was used to contain lime powder at 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.