Philippines, 1Punamhan Offering Ritual Box

Philippines







Ritual offering box (punamhan 'ina-mah'), north of Luzon, ifugao population, late 19th century, early 20th century.







Dimensions : 60cm long and 25 high.





Similar objects during the exhibition at the Musée du Quai Branly on the Philippines ("Philippines, archipelago of exchanges").
Dark-patinated wood, a lizard (symbol of fertility and abundance) stylized carved in relief on the lid.
Two pig heads were placed on each side whose snouts were used as handles. "PUNAM-HAN" is used by Shamans (Mumbaki) for rice ceremonies (at the
planting of grains of rice but also of the harvest). The blood of sacrificed animals (often chickens but also pigs) flowed on the lid of the box, inside were the grains of rice and areca nuts.
One of the two pigs' muzzles was probably redone.

Provenance: Alain Bovis Gallery, Paris (Parisian antique dealer specializing in the primitive arts and more particularly the Insulinde). A certificate from the Alain Bovis Gallery will be given
to the buyer.

Dimensions :
- Height : 25 cm
- Width : 60 cm