Neck ornament

Title
Neck ornament
Creator
Year/Period
19th century
Region
Nias Island, Sumatra
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: 25.5 x 22.2 x 1.0 cm
Accession No.
2002-00710
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. Edmond Chin

The forms of the pieces in this ensemble reflect their original organic inspirations. The central ornament worn by a nobleman or warrior is a palm leaf -shaped crown called tuwu; the beaten gold fragment in this display would be layered over a wooden or metallic base. This crown was often worn together with a beaten gold necklace with folded ridges (nifatofato) and double spiral earrings (gaule). The latter form is common throughout Southeast Asia.