Jewelry set

Unknown Artist

19th century

Jewelry set by Unknown Artist

Medium

bone, shell, stone, cotton

Classification

Jewelry Set

Culture

Indian (Naga-Angami)

Department

Costume Institute

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Gift of Muriel Kallis Newman, 2008

Accession Number

2008.190.23a, b

Art Historical Context

This exquisite jewelry set from 19th-century Naga-Angami culture showcases the masterful craftsmanship of Northeast India's Naga people, particularly the Angami tribe. Crafted from natural materials—bone, shell, stone, and—the set exemplifies traditional adornments likely worn for ceremonies, rites of passage, or to signify social status. The use of readily available organic elements highlights the resourcefulness of Naga artisans, who transformed everyday natural finds into symbols of identity and prestige. In Naga-Angami society, such jewelry held deep cultural importance, often reflecting ...

    Send Feedback

    We use this only to reply to your feedback.