Chest ornament
- chest ornament
- India (Land); Naga, Ao-Naga (ethnic group); Nagaland (region)
- Claudia Obrocki
- 2nd half of 19th century
This chest ornament was reserved for high-ranking men. According to the collection’s documentation, the rows of cowrie shells symbolise the teeth of the enemy. Every Ao-Naga settlement has its own village council. Today, each Naga village also elects a mayor whose office is part of the Indian administrative system.