Naga Headhunter’s Trophy Head & Ancestor Necklace

This rare Naga trophy head necklace comprises a cast brass pendant of two severed human heads, suspended from a strand of orange-red barrel-shaped glass trade beads. On each side of the heads are ancestor figures shown in semi-seated positions – one with hands on the knees, and the other with hands along the side. This configuration is highly unusual – no similar examples have been published. The wear and patina on the pendant is extraordinary with the details having been worn smooth from handling and the passage of time.

Necklaces of this type with representations of human heads traditionally were reserved for successful headhunters – those who had taken heads. The heads here have smiling faces. The addition of the ancestor figures is highly unusual. Jacobs (1990. p. 254) illustrates one severed head pendant that has two small human figures crouched on top of the 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 is a rare, collector’s piece.