Munduruku Trophy Head Skull - OJEARTE - 46 cm - 27 cm - 24 cm- Non-CITES species

The Munduruku people originate from the Amazon Trapeze—the area marking the border between present-day Peru, Colombia, and Brazil.

"Munduruku" is a name given by their neighbors or rivals; it means "red ants," an allusion to their fierce battle formations. Using these tactics, they would decimate the adult populations of their adversaries and take their heads as trophies. These heads were mummified through a process of slow cooking and drying, then coated with annatto (urucú) oil and decorated with feathers. The eye sockets were filled with black resin and fitted with egg fragments or teeth to serve as eyelids, while the mouth was sewn shut with cord to prevent the deceased's soul from escaping. The trophy’s "life" lasted three years: in the second year, the hair was shaved off, the decorations were removed, and the head was hung in the men's house; in the third year, the trophy "died" and was cast into the river. This cycle explains why these heads are so extremely rare to find today; furthermore, some authentic specimens were lost in the tragic 2018 fire at the National Museum of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro.

The piece in question is a handcrafted reproduction created by the artist Paudelacó, modeled after the originals using a resin-cast human skull. Consequently, its shipment, possession, and display are entirely legal in any country worldwide.

A certificate of authenticity issued by Ojearte and signed by the artist is included.

proximate dimensions (including stand): 46 x 27 x 24 cm