Discovery of the Oton Gold Death Mask
The Oton Gold Death Mask was discovered in situ on June 5, 1967, at Grave #6 in Mediavilla Property in San Antonio, Oton, Iloilo. The property was among the four areas systematically excavated by National Museum anthropologists, headed by Dr. Alfredo Esguerra Evangelista and Dr. Felipe Landa Jocano, an Ilonggo.
The other excavation sites were the Cornejo, Planta, and Blandura properties, parallel to the shoreline and situated between two brackish water streams, with nipa palms along the banks.
The Gold Mask was found covering the deceased’s face. It consisted of a gold foil cut into two leaf-shaped elements joined by a strip placed over the bridge of the nose. It also had gold, thin strips hanging on what could have been the opening of the nostrils and decorated with repousse dots on the side.
Ang Tamung nga Bulawan: The Oton Gold Death Mask
“Ang Tamung nga Bulawan: The Oton Gold Death Mask, a National Cultural Treasure” is an exhibition celebrating the return of the Oton Gold Death Mask to Iloilo, 50 years after its discovery in San Antonio, Oton, Iloilo.
Dating back to the late 14th to early 15th century, this rare funerary artifact is one of the few gold burial items unearthed in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
The mask, intricately adorned with repousse decorations, was discovered during archaeological excavations led by National Museum anthropologists Alfredo Evangelista and F. Landa Jocano. Its design reflects ancient traditions and beliefs, particularly the practice of protecting the dead from malevolent spirits.
Visit Gallery 2 of the National Museum Western Visayas to explore this exhibition, which highlights the enduring cultural significance of gold in burial practices across civilizations spanning 1,700 years.
A Thing of Beauty: The Oton Gold Death Mask
The Oton Gold Death Mask, the first of its kind discovered in situ in the Philippines, holds the distinction of being a National Cultural Treasure. Dating back to the late 14th to early 15th century, its age was determined based on associated artifacts found within the same burial site.
This extraordinary find emerged during systematic archaeological excavations led by renowned anthropologists Alfredo Evangelista and F. Landa Jocano on June 5, 1967, in San Antonio, Oton, Iloilo.
The mask consists of two parts:
• Eye Cover: 13.3 cm long and 2.5 cm wide
• Nose Piece: 16.3 cm long and 5.5 cm wide
Together, these components weigh 13.09 grams and are crafted from finely hammered gold sheets. Adorned with intricate swirls, curvilinear motifs, and realistic human features, the mask showcases exceptional craftsmanship through repoussage and chasing techniques. These methods involved delicately hammering the gold from both sides to create its stunning low-relief design.
More than a work of art, the Oton Gold Death Mask reflects the rich traditions and beliefs of a bygone era, encapsulating the cultural significance of gold in ancient burial practices.
Reference: NM- Western Visayas
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