Naga Necklace

Head Hunter’s Glass Bead & Brass Trophy Head Necklace

circumference: 65cm, width of head pendant: 6.5cm

This splendid Naga necklace comprises a series of glass trade beads (probably from Europe and China), twelve cast and engraved brass beads in the form of beads, and a pendant of three cast brass trophy heads.

Necklaces of this type with representations of severed human heads traditionally were reserved for warriors who had successfully taken heads. Probably, the form was copied from Indian brass box lids (Jacobs, 1990, p. 252).

The necklace and all its constituent parts have excellent patina: it is clearly old. This is important as modern reproductions abound. There are no losses and the necklace is stable and wearable.

Jacobs, J.,

The Nagas: Hill Peoples of Northeast India, Thames & Hudson, 1990.

Saul, J.D.,

The Naga of Burma: Their Festivals, Customs and Way of Life, Orchid Press, 2005.

Shilu, A.,

Naga Tribal Adornment: Signatures of Status and Self, The Bead Museum, Washington, 2003.

private collection