Naga Chank Shell Bead Necklace

This simple necklace comprises beads of elongated, barrel form carved from Indian chank shell, separated by small blue and white glass trade beads.

The chank shell has pleasing, natural grey ‘marbling’.

Originally such a necklace was intended to be worn by a Naga man – beads worn by Naga women tended to be more elaborate and of multiple strands.

A similar necklace is illustrated in Daalder (2009, p. 334). Other related examples are illustrated in Jacobs (1990, p. 327).

The necklace is wearable and closes with an ‘S’ form catch.