Konyak Naga Warrior Chest Collar
(Yimchunger / Naga pectoral piece)
Nagaland, Northeast India 1930s/40s
Crafted by the Konyak Naga people of Nagaland in Northeast India (bordering Myanmar).
* A warrior chest collar (pectoral neckpiece), measuring 9” x 7” excluding the braided ties, designed to sit flat across the collarbone.
* Brass Trophy Heads (Bawng): The cast-brass face pendants attached at the bottom represent headhunter trophy heads—historically worn by warriors as symbols of status and achievement.
* Lost-Wax Casting Method: The central brass face and surrounding shapes were created using traditional lost-wax (cire perdue) metal casting, showing authentic hand-tooling, pitted casting marks, and soft wear.
* Authentic Trade Beads: The glass seed beads (red, yellow, black, green, sky blue) are early imported glass trade beads featuring hand-cut edges and size variations.
* Ceramic/Glass Material Core: The chipped bead on the lower section exposes a porous, glazed core, confirming the beads are original trade materials rather than modern plastic.
* Hand-Loomed Backing: The dark textile lining is a coarse, hand-spun, and hand-loomed cotton weave produced on traditional village back-strap looms.
* Hand-Pied Stitching: The perimeter and bead rows are secured using thick, hand-plied cotton thread whipstitched by hand.
* Folded Brass Accent Beads: The metallic seed beads near the top edges are individually hand-hammered and folded sheet-brass
*The structural materials, hand-stitching, lost-wax brass castings, and natural age patina, this piece pre dates the mid-20th century
