{"product_id":"philippine-taka-papier-mache-skull-mold","title":"Philippine Taka Papier-Mâché Skull Mold","description":"\u003cp\u003eHand-carved hardwood skull mold (takaan) from Paete, Laguna, Philippines, used in the traditional taka papier-mâché craft.  A rare and sculpturally striking hand-carved hardwood skull mold used in the traditional folk craft of taka* — the layering of wet paper pulp over a carved wooden master to produce brightly painted papier-mâché figures, toys, and ornaments. The taka tradition was founded in Paete in the 1920s by Maria Bañas (Bague) and remains a living craft today, though early studio molds like this example are increasingly scarce on the international market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe skull is carved in the round on its working face, with a smoothly domed cranium, deeply hollowed circular eye sockets, a triangular nasal cavity, and crisply gridded upper and lower dentition designed for clean release from the papier-mâché shell. The reverse is left plain and gently contoured, pierced by a small bored vent hole that allowed moisture to escape and the finished pulp form to be released from the master. The wood has acquired a deep, oily, glossy patina from decades of contact with wet paper pulp, starch paste, and release agents — a surface impossible to fabricate and entirely consistent with long studio use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExcellent  condition with expected age. Deep handled patina, minor surface checking, age cracks to the cranium, and small natural losses consistent with age and ritual studio use. Mounted on a custom black metal display stand for stable upright presentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDimensions Skull: 8 inches H; taller on custom iron base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProvenance: Daniel Acosta NYC\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Art for Eternity","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53499610595642,"sku":"17572","price":595.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0775\/5120\/6714\/files\/17572blue.jpg?v=1779478781","url":"https:\/\/howardnowes.com\/products\/philippine-taka-papier-mache-skull-mold","provider":"Art for Eternity","version":"1.0","type":"link"}