Head Hunter’s Ornament

Naga, India Highlands
19th Century

This is a powerful example of a wooden Naga headhunter’s charm. Naturalistically conceived from hardwood exhibiting fine details such as enlarged ears and sharp pronounced cheek bones. This example has a deep, varied and encrusted patina with rare tatooing patterns cascading all over the face. These charms were important objects to Naga men, they represent human heads that have been taken in battle and they are worn around the neck or attached to basketry. The old burned through attachment holes show definite signs of abrasion from decades of wear. In excellent condition.

This charm stands 2.75 inches in height.

SOLD / IN 5-05-09