Naga Brass Headhunter Pendant Necklace Sidley Collection

Naga jewelry is intricate and orderly, crafted from diverse materials like glass, shell, stone, teeth, and more. These are fashioned into various ornaments including pendants, necklaces, and bracelets. Glass beads, primarily from Assam, form the core of Naga jewelry, sometimes supplemented by Venetian and Czech beads. Carnelian beads and cowrie shells from Gujarat are also used.

Ornamentation serves as a means for the Naga to express identity and social status, with brass and bronze pendants historically awarded to skilled warriors. The Naga were once head-hunters; traditionally, pendants like this one were worn to indicate how many heads the wearer had taken. Today this practice has died out and the pendants are used for decoration.

Cowrie shells symbolize bloodshed and are worn on men's spears and ceremonial attire. Beads are ubiquitous, worn by both genders from infancy, symbolizing community inclusion. Chank shells denote wealth or brotherhood in different communities.

The Naga, residing in India's northeastern mountains, comprise various tribes with shared cultural practices. Traditional livelihoods shifted due to British colonization in the 19th century, with subsequent integration into the Indian state. Christian missionaries also influenced Naga culture, leading to widespread conversion to Christianity. Today, English is the official language of Nagaland.

Necklace Length: 25 inches

Bead Size: 3mm - 6mm diameter

Pendant Size: 2 x 1 inches

Provenance: Niña Sidley Collection

After a long career in publishing, Niña Sidley returned to her first love: collecting the art, artifacts, and textiles of the world’s indigenous peoples. Part of her mission has been to educate others and to honor the extraordinary creativity, ingenuity, and heartfelt messages these handmade works send from their makers. Niña believes this deep respect for tradition and beauty inspires and ties all of us together as one world.

149191