Naga Konyak – Men's warrior hairstyle ornament – Nagaland - Naga - India

Rare and remarkable Naga male hair ornament, likely Konyak, from Nagaland in northeast India.
This ethnographic piece about thirty centimeters long is made from a horned or bone material attributed to buffalo, worked with numerous notches and incisions, and then garnished with substantial tufts of animal fur dyed a deep red. Its curved shape and fixing system correspond to ornaments traditionally worn by men in the bun, notably in the context of warrior status.
The object appeals through the graphic power of its silhouette, the contrast between the dark patinated material and the long red tufts, as well as the quality of its traditional craftsmanship. Traces of use, wear on the edges, and aging of the hair elements attest to some antiquity. A cautious dating to the late 19th century or the first half of the 20th century seems most appropriate.
The condition is satisfactory for this type of object: the perforations remain clearly legible and the red tufts are still particularly abundant. Some wear, irregularities, fragility of the bindings, and loss of hair are naturally present and contribute to the piece’s material history.
A beautiful Nagas ethnographic art object, both sculptural and with a strong visual presence, intended for collectors of tribal arts, Nagaland objects, and the cultures of Northeast India.