NAGA WOODEN TROPHY HEAD CHEST ORNAMENT, EX. JAMES KEGGIE

Origin: Northeast India, Naga people   (Provenance:  Ex. Tad Dale Santa Fe New Mexico.  Ex. Collection James Keggie London.  Keggie was a long-time respected dealer on the Portobello Road in London.  His clients included dealers like Charles Ratton and the noted American collectors like Harold Rome in New York)

Period/Date: First quarter 20th century

Materials:  Hardwood

Description:  This wooden trophy head chest ornament has excellent provenance and is presented on a custom metal display stand.  It represents the fate of a real human victim.  Only a warrior who had taken a head in battle or acquired one from a raid on an enemy village could wear one of these emblematic wooden heads on his chest!  I noted that the attachment holes are on the top of the head.  Given how set back the ears are, I can see why the artist chose this method since there was limited space on the sides to drill through.  I'm leaving open the possibility this style of head could have been attached to the exterior of a rattan "head takers" basket.  It has acquired a dark brown patina turning to red.  In excellent condition.

 CF.  "The Nagas" by Julian Jacobs, pages 194-199.

Dimensions:   Height 3 1/4"  (8.2 cm), Width 3"  (7.5 cm)

Price: SOLD