Enquiry about object: 9308
Konyak Naga Trade Bead, Brass Bell & Shell Necklace
Konyak Naga People, North-West India & Western Burma early 20th century
Provenance
private collection, US
This fine and wearable multi-strand necklace is from the Naga people, and most probably the Konyak Naga.
It has been strung with orange, red, black, green, blue and yellow glass trade beads from India and Europe, small cast brass bells and cast brass pendants with spiral motifs, as well as eight thin, wooden spacers. The array of beads is not completely symmetrical – this is often the case. The beads and pendant brassware were usually heirloom items and the necklace represented an item of available wealth, as much as an item of adornment.
The beads have been strung on native cotton twine. The catch comprises a simple twine loop and a section of chank shell.
Very similar examples are illustrated in Jacobs (1990, p. 320).
The necklace is in excellent, stable condition, and has clear and obvious age.
References
Daalder, T., Ethnic Jewellery and Adornment: Australia, Oceania, Asia, Africa, Ethnic Art Press/Macmillan, 2009.
Jacobs, J., The Nagas: Hill Peoples of Northeast India, Thames & Hudson, 1990.
Shilu, A., Naga Tribal Adornment: Signatures of Status and Self, The Bead Museum, Washington, 2003.
Untracht, O., Traditional Jewelry of India, Thames & Hudson, 1997.
