Unusual & Rare Naga Headhunter’s Trophy Head Necklace

This rare Naga trophy head necklace comprises a large and unusual cast brass pendant of a human head with particularly high cheek bones and elongated, curling ear lobes, suspended from a strand of orange-red barrel-shaped glass trade beads, elongated brass barrel beads, and wooden elements carved to appear like claws. The form of the necklace and most particularly the brass head is quite rare. We have not encountered one like it before.

The wear and patina on the pendant is very clear – its contours have been worn smooth from handling and the passage of time.

Sometimes larger pendant heads are actually the covers of betel or paan boxes imported from Manipur in India, but this example is likely to have been of indigenous manufacture.

Necklaces of this type with representations of human heads traditionally were reserved for successful headhunters – those who had taken heads.

The Naga comprise a series of related tribal groups concentrated in the border areas of north-eastern India and eastern Burma. They were attracted to rare goods that could be bartered from outside their region. Beaded necklaces were very popular as a show of finery but also as a portable means of displaying and carrying wealth. The components that went into making necklaces were regarded as currency items themselves. Beads and necklaces were accumulated as heirlooms and were passed as dowries and down through generations.

The necklace here is stable and wearable. It retains its original stringing. There are several small holes in the pendant head, either from wear, or perhaps casting  holes underscoring the indigenous nature of the casting.  It is a rare, collector’s piece.