Dutch auction house offers ancestral skulls from Vanuatu

The auctioneers of the Venduehuis in The Hague, the Netherlands, offer four ancestral skulls from Vanuatu. Evidence that the trade in ancestral remains continues. On line auction, until 24 November 2025
  • Lot: 4270     Vanuatu, Malekula, an overmodelled ancestor skull – From an old Dutch collection, at least since the 1970’s, thence through descent in the family. – The blackened surface with lines and dots in white and red pigment. – L 21 cm, H 16 cm
  • Lot 4304     Vanuatu, Malekula, an overmodelled ancestor skull – From an old Dutch collection, at least since the 1970’s, thence through descent in the family. – With black and red pigment and tufts of hair, the eyes inlaid with cowry shells. – L 20 cm, H 17.5 cm
  • Lot: 4327     Vanuatu, Malekula, an overmodelled ancestor skull – From an old Dutch collection, at least since the 1970’s, thence through descent in the family. – With black and pink pigment and long strands of hair (spider’s cobweb) – L 25 cm, H 17 cm
  • Lot: 4366     Vanuatu, Malekula, an overmodelled ancestor skull – From an old Dutch collection, at least since the 1970’s, thence through descent in the family. – With black and red pigment and tufts of hair, the eyes inlaid with cowry shells. – L 20 cm, H 16.5 cm