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Overview
A vintage carved lime container from Timor, Indonesia, made from bovine bone with a carved wood stopper in the form of a human head and shoulders. The body is engraved in two panels of diamond patterns, each outlined in rows of small dot-in-circle marks, with zigzag bands at the top, the middle and the base. The wood head has a defined face with eyes, nose, mouth and ears, and a weathered gray tone. The bone has a warm honey color with darker engraved lines, and the container flares gently toward the base. It displays well standing on a shelf, desk or mantel, or alongside other collected objects.
Background
Small carved containers like this were made in Timor to hold the powdered lime used when chewing betel nut, a long-standing custom across Indonesia. This piece is unsigned and unmarked, and is believed to date to around 1950-1980. The base is sealed with a fitted wood plug.
Condition
Good vintage condition with no cracks or breaks. The wood stopper is fixed in place (glued) and does not lift out. There is darker orange-brown discoloration around the base and the edge of the wood plug, small surface marks, and normal handling wear. Please see all photos.
Dimensions & Weight
The container is 9 x 1.5 x 1.6 inches (H x W x D) and weighs about 5.7 oz.
Shipping
Free standard shipping within the US, packed securely.
