Head Hunters Chest Ornament

Konyak, Nagaland, India, 19ht c.
Provenance: Julian Harding, London

Head Hunting was a vital part of the Naga cultural system. The taking of heads, ensured the vital force of the village through captured energy from an enemies severed head. These rare wooden heads were only worn by a warrior who had taken a head; indeed, the realism of these pendants is reminiscent of a death mask.

The height of the ornament is 3.25 inches
IN 4-4-12/ SOLD