An authentic Konyak Naga beaded belt from Nagaland, India, dating to the early–mid 20th century. Collected in Nepal during the 1970s, this remarkable tribal adornment reflects the rich material culture and craftsmanship of the Konyak Naga people of Northeast India.
The belt is constructed with colourful ceramic trade beads in shades of orange, red, green, yellow, brown and blue, interspersed with small hand-cast bronze bells and bone spacers. The beads are strung on traditional native cotton twine and finished with a large shell button cut from Turbinaria sp., a marine gastropod shell sourced from the Bay of Bengal.
Traditional Naga adornment often incorporated imported trade materials alongside locally crafted elements, creating objects that expressed identity, status and cultural belonging. The combination of ceramic beads, bronze, bone and shell demonstrates the skilled craftsmanship and resourcefulness of these communities.
The belt remains in excellent and stable condition, with natural wear marks consistent with age and traditional use. Genuine early Naga pieces of this type are increasingly difficult to source, making this an important example of 20th-century tribal adornment.
Details
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Culture: Konyak Naga
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Origin: Nagaland, Northeast India
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Date: Early–mid 20th century
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Collection history: Collected in Nepal in the 1970s
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Materials: Ceramic trade beads, bronze bells, bone spacers, cotton twine and shell
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Condition: Excellent and stable vintage condition, with age-related wear
Dimensions
- Length: 80 cm
- Width: 12 cm
A rare and compelling example of Konyak Naga craftsmanship, combining traditional materials, historic trade connections and the enduring artistry of tribal adornment.
