Early 20th c.
Crocodile teeth, boar tusks, wood beads, fiber
7" x 14 1/2" x 9 1/2"
Provenance: Allan Stone Collection, New York
Headhunting, once essential in the the traditional life of the Toraja, was brought to an effective end by Dutch colonial regime at the end of the 19th century. In spite of this, many items believed to have magical powers associated with headhunting rituals remained important heirlooms. Among the most striking of these are the men’s necklaces (tora-tora) worn by the warriors who brought back the heads from raids on enemy villages.
References
Carpenter, Bruce W. Ethnic Jewellery from Indonesia: Continuity and Evolution. Editions Didier Millet, 2011, p. 189

Broken tusk was fixed, necklace string was broken and restrung. Full conservation report available upon request. Condition reports are rendered as specialist opinion by the staff of the Auction House and/or independent consultants and not as statements of fact. We do not guarantee the content of written or verbal condition reports. The absence of a condition report does not imply that there are no condition issues with the lot. ?? ?Please call us at (609) 397-9374 or e-mail info@ragoarts.com with any questions about this lot at least 24 hours prior to auction.?