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A Naga conch shell ear ornament browse these categories for related items... All Items: Hidden: Viewable: Pre 1940: item # 842642 Please refer to our stock # b52229 when inquiring.
michael cichon tribal arts P.O. Box 5919 Bradenton, FL 34281 941.224.0440 Guest Book $575.00 |
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| Like many cultures of the tribal world, the Nagas used ornaments as symbolic vocabulary. The variations of the material, in this case, shell, helped identify people and cultural, social, and religious groups to each other. This elegantly decorated shell disc shows the characteristic poker-work decoration achieved with a pitch-like dark pigment being rubbed into small stippled-in depressions on the conch shell surface. It was only worn by a Konyak Naga male, and most likely one who was a head-taker, as the stylized, anthropomorphic design is identical to tattoo's seen on the chests of head-hunting warriors. The blood red glass bead is still in place at the bottom of the figure's neck, alluding to the act of head removal among the Konyak of northern Nagaland prior to 1940. Intact with original wood and cord attachment on reverse. 3.25"H. A fine example. | |||||
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