Cultural Artifacts and Ritual Items

A collection of ceremonial and cultural artifacts including a shrunken head, ancestral figures, animal bones, and wooden masks, showcasing diverse historical practices.

England, East Riding of Yorkshire. Handle and keyhole on church door.

Assets in this Story

Tsantsas - Shrunken head from the Jivaroan tribes. Shrunken heads are severed and specially prepared human heads that are used for trophy, ritual, or trade purposes. Dated 1890

Ancestral Figure, 1800s. Melanesia, Papua New Guinea, Sepik River region, 19th century. Painted wood with fiber and tapa cloth; overall: 105.4 x 12.2 x 12.8 cm (41 1/2 x 4 13/16 x 5 1/16 in.). In the Sepik River region, village social and ceremonial life centers on the men's house. Ritual objects such as slit gongs, orators' stools, and flutes are stored there; the most sacred objects are kept hidden from women and children. Carved wooden figures, which probably represent ancestors, were preserved in the men's houses.

An animal spine laid out on a wood surface, close-up

England, East Riding of Yorkshire. Handle and keyhole on church door.

Wooden funerary mask, dogon tribe; Mali; West Africa, 20th century

Bronze age red pottery from Cyprus, circa 1900-1600 BC

Typical artisan mask for traditional masquerade celebration, Iberian Museum of Masks and Costume, Braganza (Bragança),Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Portugal.

Spooky skulls with red highlight

Mexico, Guanajuato State, Guanajuato. Museum of Mummies / Municipal Pantheon-Mummified Human Corpse from the Local area preserved in the local soil (NR)

Wooden Huehue mask from Mexico, worn during Carnival celebrations. Dated 20th Century

Close up of exotic figure

polychrome wooden figure Ubanga Nyama Lengola, Republic of the Congo, Sa Bassa Blanca Museum (msbb). Yannick Vu and Ben Jakober , Alcudia, Majorca, Spain.

Italian Sallet. Venetian or Milanese (School of Missaglia). Ca.1500. Armoury. Grandmaster Palace. Valletta, Malta.

Skull of human against the gradient background

Lisbon, Portugal. Antique Portuguese mask. (Editorial Use Only)

Skull with pink flower

Madrid, M.A.N. Arte Prehistórico. Cabeza de toro de Costix. Periodo Proto histórico. Islas Baleares.

Close up detail of a chagra or cowboy's decoratively carved wooden stirrup, Andes Mountains, Ecuador

Typical artisan mask for traditional masquerade celebration, Iberian Museum of Masks and Costume, Braganza (Bragança),Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Portugal.

Hopi kachina doll, E3843, Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff, Arizona

Carocho de Constantim Typical artisan mask for traditional masquerade celebration, Iberian Museum of Masks and Costume, Braganza (Bragança),Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Portugal.

Statur aus Holz *** Stature from Wood 1043801611

Castroville, Texas, USA. Cow skull leaning against historic building in the Texas Hill Country.

Stolpen castle courtyard festival

African mask, Gouro tribe, Ivory Coast, Africa

Typical artisan mask for traditional masquerade celebration, Iberian Museum of Masks and Costume, Braganza (Bragança),Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Portugal.

Maske wooden mask Copyright: xZoonar.com/J.O.Photodesignx 2523928

Ko-Tze late 19th century Chinese Whistles like this one, made of bamboo and gourd, weigh only a few ounces. They are attached to the tails of pigeons, and are heard as the birds fly overhead. When attached to a carrier pigeon, the whistle alerted the recipient of the bird's arrival. Each of these ko tzes is inscribed with the character for "loyality," perhaps in reference to the faithful homing of each pigeon.. Ko-Tze. Chinese. late 19th century. Gourd, bamboo. China. Aerophone-Whistle Flute-whistle

Anatomy doll making a hand gesture on a wooden background

Romania, Neamt, Tarpesti. An old mask at the museum founded at his home by the late (MR) Popa, an artist and collector of traditional art and folk objects.

Plastic Skeleton Dummy Model Isolated with Clipping Path

Human skull against dark background

Viewfinder

human skull model on isolated white background

England, Yorkshire, Leeds, The Royal Armouries Museum, The 16th century Horned Helmet Made for King Henry VIII by Konrad Seusenhofer of Innsbruck

Empress doll

longhorn skull hanging on neutral wall white skull bones

Typical artisan mask for traditional masquerade celebration, Iberian Museum of Masks and Costume, Braganza (Bragança),Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Portugal.

Cow skull hanging in a simulated old west town in Arizona, USA.

Vessel from Peru in the shape of an owl. Moche culture. 300 BC - 600 AD.

Skull created from wood, glass beads and vegetable fibres, from Cameroon, Republic of Cameroon, Africa. Dated 1870

Comic actor's mask. Terracotta. GREECE.

Middle East, Arabian Peninsula, Oman, Ad Dakhiliyah, Nizwa. Khanjar knives for sale in the souk in Nizwa, Oman.

A white theater mask

Hashihime. Kimura Ryūmin (Japan, active mid- to late 19th century). Japan, mid- to late 19th century. Costumes; Accessories. Wood

Donation box at the Stadtmuseum municipal museum, St.-Jakobs-Platz 1, Munich, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Nicaragua, Granada. Paper Mache figures hang from ceiling in pinata factory.

BOTIJA DE CARRO CON VIDRIADO PARCIAL. Location: ALFARERIA. UBEDA. JAEN. SPAIN.

mammoth on reindeer antler, Upper Palaeolithic Magdalenian, Museo de la evolución humana, MEH, Burgos , Spain.

The 2007 Hughes Ranch branding near Stanford Montana

Morocco-Fes: Fes El-Bali (Old Fes)- Smaller Traditional Tannery District (NR)

Bells for cows Copper cow bells with Leather handles Copyright: xZoonar.com/NikolaxObradovicx 11906786

Canada, Ontario, Port Dalhousie. Antique carousel horse

Wood Carving

human skull isolated on white, Halloween concept

Money box, 19th Century. 19th century English pine and metal money box. It works by placing a coin on the soldier's head. As he swings backwards and forwards, the coin falls into the tower and rings a bell. Getting the coins out is also fun. The flag lifts up and a door at the back of the fort opens... Purchased from Edward H Pinto, 1965. .

Shaffron (Horse's Head Defense) 15th century Mamluk. Shaffron (Horse's Head Defense) 31872

Venetian carnival mask in front of a shop, Burano, Veneto, Italy, Europe

Hanging skeleton with clown mask.

Destroyed streetlamp in front of grey storm clouds, Chernobyl, Ukraine, Europe

Still life with a cross gun and a skull in the mouth with dry flowers.

Two artificial human skulls and range-coloured artificial roses for Halloween decorations are on sale in a shop in the historic centre of Hanoi. Hanoi Hanoi Province Vietnam FB_2024_3438

Museum of the Mummies,mummified child, Guanajuato, state Guanajuato, Mexico

French Polynesia, Society Islands, Bora Bora. Close-up of tiki near the entrance to Bloody Mary's Restaurant and Bar.

New Caledonia, Northern Grande Terre Island, Pouebo. Kanak stone carvings for sale by the roadside.

Metal statue of hand against wooden background.

Theatre concept with the white plastic masks

Close up of wooden puppet sitting on chair.

Spooky old doll in abandoned house. Scary halloween art for book or flyer cover Spooky old doll in abandoned house. Scary halloween background for book or flyer cover Copyright: xZoonar.com/DmitryxShabanovx 13831017

Joan Miró (Spanish, 18931983), Conque ,1976, lost wax cast bronze, Marivent garden, Palma, Majorca.

Stack of dentures

blue monday with face masks

Plague Mask - worn by plague doctors, it was intended to protect them from diseases during outbreaks of Bubonic Plague in Europe.

Knocker, France, Europe

Sculpture of merry-go-round horse, Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre, Devon, England

Early Iron Age blindfolded girl from Windeby Bog, Germany, Europe

Bell, from a set of ten, 2nd century BCE - 2nd century CE, 9 x 4 1/8 x 3 5/8 in. (22.86 x 10.48 x 9.21 cm), Ceramic, China, 2nd century BCE - 2nd century CE

Masks with theatre concept

Still Life with Withered Calla Flower, Vanitas, Pot with a Withered, Morbid, Flower Arrangement on a Grave in a Cemetery, Bari Sardo, Ogliastra, Sardinia, Italy, Europe

Kuhkopf Kuhkopf Copyright: xZoonar.com/ElkexxScherpingx 10869131

Guardian wooden tiki in front of big wall, Pu'uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, Big Island, Hawaii

sala siglo XX, Museo Militar de Menorca, antiguo cuartel de Cala Corb, plaza central de Es Castell, construido por los británicos en 1771, Menorca, balearic islands, Spain.

Shrunken heads displayed on vases and as hanging baskets. Photograph, ca. 1890 ().

Human skull cutout against a white background

VAGINA - ESCULTURA EN MADERA. Author: DAVID JOHN NASH (1945-). Location: FUNDACION SANTANDER CENTRAL HISPANO. MADRID. SPAIN.

Mannequin head with silver foil in front of warning tapes

USA, Wyoming. Hideout Horse Ranch, stirrup detail. (PR)

Canada, Nunavut, King William Island, Gjoa Haven. Nattlik Heritage Centre, interior. Museum display with carved bear.

Summer decor in the garden

Canada, Nunavut, King William Island, Gjoa Haven. Nattlik Heritage Centre, interior. Traditional hair style display.

Cachet pendant with death, anonymous, c. 1600 Gold pendant. Representing a skeleton with scythe of white enamelled gold. Germany gold (metal). Gold pendant. Representing a skeleton with scythe of white enamelled gold. Germany gold (metal).

PIENZA, TUSCANY, ITALY - MAY 19 : Decorative ironwork attached to a wall in Pienza, Tuscany on May 19, 2013

CABEZA HUMANA REDUCIDA DE JIBARO. Location: MUSEO DE AMERICA-COLECCION. MADRID. SPAIN.

In the closed and uninhabitable 30-kilometre zone around the Chernobyl power plant and the workers' settlement of Pripyat, in the former kindergarten, doll and child's shoe, Kiev, Ukraine, Europe

Closeup photo of classic woolen gloves lying on bed

Foot sculpture by Mandrescuinder, Old Town, Tonitza Street, Filitti Street, alleys in the Old Town, Bucharest, Romania, Europe

Mercato del Porcellino or Logge del Mercato Nuovo, Firenze, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tuscany, Italy

Numerous headless, naked, muscular, male mannequins, only the upper part of the body, standing together on the floor at a market, Hamburg, Germany, Europe

Cigar smoking carved wooden figure, souvenirs, Trinidad, Cuba, Greater Antilles, Caribbean, Central America, America, Central America

monument Catfish, a bronze monument to the Fish catfish monument Catfish, a bronze monument to the Fish catfish, Kaliningrad, Russia, January 05, 2019 Copyright: xZoonar.com/seagullNadyx 13747425

Fish sculpture on Peacock Fountain, Botanic Gardens, Christchurch, Canterbury, South Island, New Zealand

Jade pectoral, Olmec civilisation, Mexico 1200-400 BC

Switzerland, Basel. Basel Winter Holiday Market (aka Basler Weihnacht) at Barfusserplatz. Traditional nutcracker Christmas decoration.

Ornate masks isolated on the wooden background

Souvenirs made out of the paws of crocodilian species are sold at the Hanoi Airport in Vietnam; Hanoi, Vietnam

Books a human skull, a raven and a green carnation. English literature concept.. Books a human skull, a raven and a green carnation.

scarecrow with horns on the wall hanging in a row close-up

Doll from Trinidad, 1925-1992

Still life with a human skull with desert plants, cactus, roses and dried flowers in a vase beside the timber.

Small ornaments on a grey chest drawers

Still life with the skulls in books, old lamps, dry flowers and guns crossed.

Beautiful Mexican wooden mask handcrafted wood faces

Ukraine, Pripyat, Chernobyl. Toy doll.

Canada, British Columbia, Vancouver. A traditional First Nation mask at UBC's Museum of Anthropology. (Editorial Usage Only)

MEZQUITA DE CORDOBA. MEZQUITA DE ABDERRAMAN I. CORDOBA, ESPAÑA.

Numerous locks

Etruscan tomb, inhumation of two deceased, in wodden crate. 350-300 BC. Comacchio, Italy - 11 June 2024, Etruscan tomb, inhumation of two deceased, in wodden crate. 350-300 BC. Copyright: xZoonar.com/PAOLOxGALLOxMODENAx 22243623

Mary Magdalene before Her Conversion 1886-1894 James Tissot (1839-1902/French) Gouache Brooklyn Museum, New York, USA

Gold rhyton in shape of a lion's head, from Mycenae, Greece

engelsfigur,engel,engelfigur ** angel figurine,angel figurines y07-i1x

Old hydrant for fire-fighting water in dried grass, symbolic image of forest fire danger, Peloponnese, Greece, Europe

The interior of the sunken ship. Istanbul Aquarium. ISTANBUL, TURKEY JULY 11, 2014: Istanbul Sea Life Aquarium TurkuaZoo. The hall of Liberty Ship wreck. Reconstruction of the interior of the sunken ship. Copyright: xZoonar.com/SergxZastavkinxSergeyxPristyazhnyukx 21867875

Necklace held by a manequin displayed in a shop window, Zona Centro, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico

Trail marker in Krimmler Achental, Salzburger Land, Austria

Face painted on a rock, "The Visible Man" in the Alabama Hills, Sierra Nevada, California, United States of America, USA, North America

Jaen, Several cured hams hanging from ceiling hooks in a Spanish shop, Jaen, Andalusia, Spain, Europe

Foot of the Statue of Liberty as copper model in the Museum of the Statue of Liberty, Liberty Island, New York City, New York State, USA, North America

Old Town of Doha, Hookahs, Qatar, Qatar, Asia

Mannequin head for practice, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.

Close up of tin box containing small plastic brown skinned boy doll with blue shorts and battered model steam train locomotive and airplane

Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States. Canyon road boutique, Bittersweet Designs. (PR)

Vanitas Still-Life - Barthel Bruyn the Elder, circa 1524

New York City, New York, USA. Store windows decorated for the Christmas holidays.

Apalachicola, Florida. Historical item plaque about Pirate beatings for sale in famous Tin Shed store.

Japan, Honshu, Tokyo, Ginza, Mitsukoshi Department Store, Entrance Lion Statue Wearing Giant COVID Mask

USA, New Mexico, Eagles Nest: The Enchanted Circle Route Wooden Bears at Bear Crossing Store

Bow ship decoration battleship Soviet red star, Bow ship decoration battleship. Tradition of decorating ships Copyright: xZoonar.com/IVASHUTINx 10601013

Sporrens for sale, The Old Town, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe

'Begin early... shave yourself' - the Gillette Safety Razor lives up to its name. Date: early 20th century

United Nations New York City USA

folk art museum portrait detail of materials in main hall