South Asia, India, Naga peoples, ca. mid-20th century CE. An attractive necklace comprised of thickly plaited cotton threads with 30 fan or blade shape brass beads and a central brass face pendant to symbolize a trophy head - reserved for warriors that had taken heads. The Naga people are a combination of tribes in northeastern India and northwestern Burma known for their artistry, particularly when it comes to jewelry. During special rituals on their calendar, men and women dress in ceremonial clothing and ornaments, including stunning necklaces like these examples. Although headhunting was banned under British colonial rule, headhunting practices continued into the mid-20th century. Size (strand): 34" L (86.4 cm); (pendant): 2.25" L x 1.75" W (5.7 cm x 4.4 cm)

Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010.

173860

Discoloration and staining to cotton threads. Intact and very good condition. Wearable as shown.