Tribal Necklace with Real Skulls and Teeth | 19th – early 20th Century

Provenance & Ownership History
More Less

Formerly held in a private collection in London, United Kingdom, for approximately 20 years. Subsequently offered by Burstow & Hewett Auctioneers & Valuers, East Sussex, United Kingdom, in its Natural History and Curiosities auction on March 15, 2024, as Lot 210. The specimen later entered a private collection in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

$500.00
$500.00
Free Worldwide Shipping on all orders
Customers rate us 5.0/5 based on 101 reviews.

This is a one-of-a-kind historical object. Once sold, this exact piece will not be restocked.
Questions before acquiring? Additional photographs, condition details, documentation, shipping information or a private viewing are available upon request.
Ethnographic ceremonial necklace featuring a central wild dog skull, flanked by rodent skulls and pig teeth, strung on woven twine, used in shamanic or warrior rituals.
Video of an animal skull necklace on a black display bust, featuring a large central skull, two smaller skulls, curved teeth, and woven twine.
Animal skull necklace with a large central skull, two smaller skulls, curved teeth, and braided twine against a beige background.
Skull and tooth necklace displayed on a black bust, with pale curved teeth framing the elongated central skull.
Animal skull necklace showing weathered bone, visible cranial seams, and tightly wrapped twine securing paired curved teeth.
Skull necklace with two smaller skulls along the braided cord and long, tapered teeth suspended beneath them.
Animal skull necklace highlighting the central skull’s elongated muzzle, open eye socket, and surrounding twine bindings.
Skull and tooth necklace with layered cord bindings, dark bone cavities, and mottled golden-brown surfaces on a black bust.
Animal skull necklace featuring a braided cord joining two smaller skulls above a large central skull framed by curved teeth.
Skull and tooth necklace displaying paired eye sockets, a narrow muzzle, and contrasting pale teeth against black velvet.
Animal skull necklace showing the depth of its central skull, projecting curved teeth, and woven twine attachments.
Close-up video of an indigenous ceremonial necklace featuring a wild dog cranium, rodent skulls, pig teeth, and woven twine, shown as an ethnographic ritual object
  • Ethnographic ceremonial necklace featuring a central wild dog skull, flanked by rodent skulls and pig teeth, strung on woven twine, used in shamanic or warrior rituals.
  • Video of an animal skull necklace on a black display bust, featuring a large central skull, two smaller skulls, curved teeth, and woven twine.
  • Animal skull necklace with a large central skull, two smaller skulls, curved teeth, and braided twine against a beige background.
  • Skull and tooth necklace displayed on a black bust, with pale curved teeth framing the elongated central skull.
  • Animal skull necklace showing weathered bone, visible cranial seams, and tightly wrapped twine securing paired curved teeth.
  • Skull necklace with two smaller skulls along the braided cord and long, tapered teeth suspended beneath them.
  • Animal skull necklace highlighting the central skull’s elongated muzzle, open eye socket, and surrounding twine bindings.
  • Skull and tooth necklace with layered cord bindings, dark bone cavities, and mottled golden-brown surfaces on a black bust.
  • Animal skull necklace featuring a braided cord joining two smaller skulls above a large central skull framed by curved teeth.
  • Skull and tooth necklace displaying paired eye sockets, a narrow muzzle, and contrasting pale teeth against black velvet.
  • Animal skull necklace showing the depth of its central skull, projecting curved teeth, and woven twine attachments.
  • Close-up video of an indigenous ceremonial necklace featuring a wild dog cranium, rodent skulls, pig teeth, and woven twine, shown as an ethnographic ritual object
Ethnographic ceremonial necklace featuring a central wild dog skull, flanked by rodent skulls and pig teeth, strung on woven twine, used in shamanic or warrior rituals.
Video of an animal skull necklace on a black display bust, featuring a large central skull, two smaller skulls, curved teeth, and woven twine.
Animal skull necklace with a large central skull, two smaller skulls, curved teeth, and braided twine against a beige background.
Skull and tooth necklace displayed on a black bust, with pale curved teeth framing the elongated central skull.
Animal skull necklace showing weathered bone, visible cranial seams, and tightly wrapped twine securing paired curved teeth.
Skull necklace with two smaller skulls along the braided cord and long, tapered teeth suspended beneath them.
Animal skull necklace highlighting the central skull’s elongated muzzle, open eye socket, and surrounding twine bindings.
Skull and tooth necklace with layered cord bindings, dark bone cavities, and mottled golden-brown surfaces on a black bust.
Animal skull necklace featuring a braided cord joining two smaller skulls above a large central skull framed by curved teeth.
Skull and tooth necklace displaying paired eye sockets, a narrow muzzle, and contrasting pale teeth against black velvet.
Animal skull necklace showing the depth of its central skull, projecting curved teeth, and woven twine attachments.
Close-up video of an indigenous ceremonial necklace featuring a wild dog cranium, rodent skulls, pig teeth, and woven twine, shown as an ethnographic ritual object
Authenticity and secure checkout guarantee

Tribal Necklace with Real Skulls and Teeth | 19th – early 20th Century

Description
More Less

Historical Context & Origin

Region: Indigenous/Tribal (exact cultural group unknown)
Material: Twine, wild dog cranium, rodent skulls, pig teeth
Period: Undetermined (likely 19th–early 20th century, ethnographic tradition)

Description

This striking ceremonial necklace embodies the fierce power and mysticism of tribal ritual objects. Constructed from woven twine, it incorporates a wild dog cranium as its central element, flanked by rodent skulls and framed by pig teeth. Such materials were chosen not merely for decoration but for their symbolic resonance, representing protection, ferocity, and the spiritual bond between human and animal realms. Its imposing presence underscores its likely use in shamanic or warrior ceremonies.

Features

- Central wild dog cranium symbolizing the spirit of the hunter and the wild

- Two smaller rodent skulls flanking the centerpiece

- Pig teeth radiating outward in protective and ferocious display

- Woven twine cord crafted with traditional hand techniques

- Powerful aesthetic blending functionality with ritual significance

Cultural Significance

Ceremonial necklaces of this type were worn by shamans, warriors, or tribal leaders as talismans of power and spiritual protection. The integration of animal remains reflects a worldview in which the life force of creatures could be harnessed for strength, guidance, or communion with ancestral spirits. Such objects served not only as adornment but as vital tools in ritual, embodying the unity of nature, spirituality, and human identity. This necklace stands as a rare surviving testament to indigenous craftsmanship and belief systems rooted in primal symbolism.

Condition

Preserved in ethnographic condition with natural age-related wear. Organic materials display expected patina and surface weathering consistent with ritual use and authenticity.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height: 24 in
Width: 9 in

Age (Approximate)

75–200 years old

Provenance

Formerly held in a private collection in London, United Kingdom, for approximately 20 years. Subsequently offered by Burstow & Hewett Auctioneers & Valuers, East Sussex, United Kingdom, in its Natural History and Curiosities auction on March 15, 2024, as Lot 210. The specimen later entered a private collection in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Learn More

Explore research on Ritual Objects and Ethnomimetic Reproduction

Browse our Collection of Rare Oddities, Curiosities & Unique Relics

Description

Historical Context & Origin

Region: Indigenous/Tribal (exact cultural group unknown)
Material: Twine, wild dog cranium, rodent skulls, pig teeth
Period: Undetermined (likely 19th–early 20th century, ethnographic tradition)

Description

This striking ceremonial necklace embodies the fierce power and mysticism of tribal ritual objects. Constructed from woven twine, it incorporates a wild dog cranium as its central element, flanked by rodent skulls and framed by pig teeth. Such materials were chosen not merely for decoration but for their symbolic resonance, representing protection, ferocity, and the spiritual bond between human and animal realms. Its imposing presence underscores its likely use in shamanic or warrior ceremonies.

Features

- Central wild dog cranium symbolizing the spirit of the hunter and the wild

- Two smaller rodent skulls flanking the centerpiece

- Pig teeth radiating outward in protective and ferocious display

- Woven twine cord crafted with traditional hand techniques

- Powerful aesthetic blending functionality with ritual significance

Cultural Significance

Ceremonial necklaces of this type were worn by shamans, warriors, or tribal leaders as talismans of power and spiritual protection. The integration of animal remains reflects a worldview in which the life force of creatures could be harnessed for strength, guidance, or communion with ancestral spirits. Such objects served not only as adornment but as vital tools in ritual, embodying the unity of nature, spirituality, and human identity. This necklace stands as a rare surviving testament to indigenous craftsmanship and belief systems rooted in primal symbolism.

Condition

Preserved in ethnographic condition with natural age-related wear. Organic materials display expected patina and surface weathering consistent with ritual use and authenticity.

Dimensions (Approximate)

Height: 24 in
Width: 9 in

Age (Approximate)

75–200 years old

Provenance

Formerly held in a private collection in London, United Kingdom, for approximately 20 years. Subsequently offered by Burstow & Hewett Auctioneers & Valuers, East Sussex, United Kingdom, in its Natural History and Curiosities auction on March 15, 2024, as Lot 210. The specimen later entered a private collection in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Learn More

Explore research on Ritual Objects and Ethnomimetic Reproduction

Browse our Collection of Rare Oddities, Curiosities & Unique Relics

You May Also Like