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A GROUP OF NAGA CONCH-SHELL EAR, HEAD AND CHEST ORNAMENTS, NAGALAND, NORTH-EAST INDIA
Estimate
300 - 500 GBP
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Description
- conch shell, domestic yak bone, himalyan porcupine quills
Comprising:
A. A wood beaded necklace with conch-shell terminals, probably Konyak, with eleven strands and bone spacers, fringed with brass shell-form elements
B. Ten conch-shell ear or head ornaments, some with figural and some with circle-and-dot decoration
C. Three conch-shell chest ornaments, one worked with circle-and-dot motifs
D. Fourteen ear ornaments of porcupine quills mounted with feathers and tassel terminals
A. A wood beaded necklace with conch-shell terminals, probably Konyak, with eleven strands and bone spacers, fringed with brass shell-form elements
B. Ten conch-shell ear or head ornaments, some with figural and some with circle-and-dot decoration
C. Three conch-shell chest ornaments, one worked with circle-and-dot motifs
D. Fourteen ear ornaments of porcupine quills mounted with feathers and tassel terminals
Condition
Conch shells. Natural wear and soiling associated with functional nature of tis type of tribal ornament; visible in cat. illustration.
Necklace. Generally fair condition, some wear associated with usage.
Porcpine quills: Generally fair condition, some wear associated with usage. One feather broken. Some tassles slightly loose, one detached. As in image, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
The designs of figures on some of the ear ornaments is reminiscent of tattoo markings found on the chest of Konyak head-takers (Jacobs 1990, p.232). The necklace is very similar to another considered to be Konyak (Jacobs 1990, p.320). The larger conch-shell pendants would have been worn either on the chest or the neck (Jacobs 1990, p.333). A shell ear ornament with a dot design of two figures, similar to one in this group, was published as from the Phom or Chang Nagas (Welch 1985, p.83, no.38).