Necklace of Brass Spools, Chin People, Western Burma, 19th century

Necklace of Brass Spools

Chin People, Western Burma

19th century

length in total: 68cm, weight: 161g

This unusual necklace comprises eight brass spiral beads or spools and eight long brass tubular beads. It is from the Chin people of Chin state in western Burma, and also in what is now Mizoram state in North-Eastern India. The beads are strung on a cotton twine.

Similar belts/necklaces are illustrated in Richter (2000, p. 137) and Leurquin (2003, p. 245).

The necklace is stable and wearable. Each bead is smooth with wear and has a golden patina.

References:

Leurquin, A., A World of Necklaces: Africa, Asia, Oceania, America from the Ghysels Collection, Skira, 2003.

Richter, A., The Jewelry of Southeast Asia, Thames & Hudson, 2000.

Provenance

private collection, London.

Inventory no.: 4477

SOLD