Claw/tooth belt for I.D. South-East Asian ?

colin henshaw · 21st May 2016, 04:29 PM

Hi

Here are some images of a claw or tooth belt on cloth, that I would like to identify. I cannot place it exactly ... probably South-East Asian ? Those small beads make me think of Dayak work. Or maybe Naga, Philippines or elsewhere ??

Perhaps one of our South-East Asian enthusiasts can help out. Any photographs, references or comparable examples would also be useful.

Thanks in advance.

colin henshaw · 24th May 2016, 06:50 PM

Anyone recognize this piece ?

Sajen · 5th June 2016, 01:28 AM

I really don't know but my best guess would be Naga.

Best regards,
Detlef

colin henshaw · 5th June 2016, 10:13 AM

Hi Detlef

You may well be right about Naga. They seemed to like tied strings of small beads, as well as animal teeth, claws etc for decoration.

Being found in Britain also makes sense from a historical viewpoint. Here are some Naga images taken from the internet.

Best regards,
Colin

VANDOO · 5th June 2016, 03:52 PM

THE TEETH LOOK LIKE PIG TUSKS FROM SMALL PIGS. THEY USE TEETH FOR JEWELRY IN NEW GUINEA BUT IT MOSTLY SEEMS TO BE DOG TEETH AND I DON'T REMEMBER SEEING ANY BEAD WORK SO NAGA DOES SEEM TO BE MORE LIKELY. A INTERESTING ITEM.

Sajen · 12th June 2016, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDOO

BUT IT MOSTLY SEEMS TO BE DOG TEETH AND I DON'T REMEMBER SEEING ANY BEAD WORK SO NAGA DOES SEEM TO BE MORE LIKELY. A INTERESTING ITEM.

Dog teeth or flying fox would be my guess by Colins cloth, the cloth and the bead work let me think Naga, both would be untypical for New Guinea.

Regards,
Detlef

BANDOOK · 14th June 2016, 01:35 PM

DOG TEETH,MOSTLY PAPUA OR IRIAN JAVA,CHEERS

colin henshaw · 22nd August 2016, 12:35 PM

After a bit more research - it seems this piece could be a belt or sash made from pangolin claws, worn by the Mizo people of Eastern India and/or the Chin people of Western Burma.

Tim Simmons · 22nd August 2016, 07:51 PM

Very interesting, very nice piece in anybodies collection.

Sajen · 22nd August 2016, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

After a bit more research - it seems this piece could be a belt or sash made from pangolin claws, worn by the Mizo people of Eastern India and/or the Chin people of Western Burma.

Which would nearly confirm my guess in up.

kronckew · 23rd August 2016, 08:55 PM

they reming me of crocodilia teeth (i have a knife somewhere with a grip made from one.

VANDOO · 26th August 2016, 12:31 AM

I KNEW WHAT A PANGOLIAN IS BUT HAD ALWAYS THOUGHT THEY WERE VERY RARE SORT OF LIKE THE PLATYPUS. THERE ARE 8 DIFFERENT SPECIES SPREAD OVER A LARGE PART OF THE OLD WORLD. THEY ARE NOCTURNAL AND LIVE IN BURROUGHS IN THE GROUND OR IN HOLLOW TREES. UNFORTUNATELY THEY ARE GOOD TO EAT AND THE SCALES ARE USED IN CHINESE MEDICINE SO LIKE THE RHINO ARE NOW ON THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION. I WILL INCLUDE SOME PICTURES FOR THOSE WHO MAY NEVER HAVE SEEN THIS UNIQUE ANCIENT FORM OF ANTEATER. #1. WALKING
#2. & #3. SHOWS CLAWS FOR COMPARISON TO THE BELT
#4. PANGOLIANS ONLY PROTECTION CURLED UP TO AVOID LIONS IN INDIA
#5. A PANGOLIAN COAT PRESENTED TO KING GEORGE THE THIRD IN 1820

kronckew · 26th August 2016, 08:47 AM

saw an animal planet show on tv a couple weeks ago, a lady volunteer at a rescue centre in africa had a baby pangolin that had lost it's mother that she adopted. it was very bonded to the lady & followed her around like a puppy & liked crawling in bed with her. she taught it how to find pangolin food (ants, termites) in the wild and it eventually grew up and left her. she found were it lived and returned to visit it a year or so later & it remembered her and came running for a cuddle and tummy rub. those intimidating claws are for digging into ant/termite nests, not defence.

22nd August 2016, 12:35 PM	#8
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	After a bit more research - it seems this piece could be a belt or sash made from pangolin claws, worn by the Mizo people of Eastern India and/or the Chin people of Western Burma. Attached Images

23rd August 2016, 08:55 PM	#11
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,183	they reming me of crocodilia teeth (i have a knife somewhere with a grip made from one. Attached Images

26th August 2016, 12:31 AM	#12
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I KNEW WHAT A PANGOLIAN IS BUT HAD ALWAYS THOUGHT THEY WERE VERY RARE SORT OF LIKE THE PLATYPUS. THERE ARE 8 DIFFERENT SPECIES SPREAD OVER A LARGE PART OF THE OLD WORLD. THEY ARE NOCTURNAL AND LIVE IN BURROUGHS IN THE GROUND OR IN HOLLOW TREES. UNFORTUNATELY THEY ARE GOOD TO EAT AND THE SCALES ARE USED IN CHINESE MEDICINE SO LIKE THE RHINO ARE NOW ON THE BRINK OF EXTINCTION. I WILL INCLUDE SOME PICTURES FOR THOSE WHO MAY NEVER HAVE SEEN THIS UNIQUE ANCIENT FORM OF ANTEATER. #1. WALKING #2. & #3. SHOWS CLAWS FOR COMPARISON TO THE BELT #4. PANGOLIANS ONLY PROTECTION CURLED UP TO AVOID LIONS IN INDIA #5. A PANGOLIAN COAT PRESENTED TO KING GEORGE THE THIRD IN 1820 Attached Images

21st May 2016, 04:29 PM	#1
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Claw/tooth belt for I.D. South-East Asian ? Hi Here are some images of a claw or tooth belt on cloth, that I would like to identify. I cannot place it exactly ... probably South-East Asian ? Those small beads make me think of Dayak work. Or maybe Naga, Philippines or elsewhere ?? Perhaps one of our South-East Asian enthusiasts can help out. Any photographs, references or comparable examples would also be useful. Thanks in advance. Attached Images

24th May 2016, 06:50 PM	#2
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Anyone recognize this piece ?

5th June 2016, 01:28 AM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,779	I really don't know but my best guess would be Naga. Best regards, Detlef

5th June 2016, 10:13 AM	#4
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Hi Detlef You may well be right about Naga. They seemed to like tied strings of small beads, as well as animal teeth, claws etc for decoration. Being found in Britain also makes sense from a historical viewpoint. Here are some Naga images taken from the internet. Best regards, Colin Attached Images

5th June 2016, 03:52 PM	#5
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	THE TEETH LOOK LIKE PIG TUSKS FROM SMALL PIGS. THEY USE TEETH FOR JEWELRY IN NEW GUINEA BUT IT MOSTLY SEEMS TO BE DOG TEETH AND I DON'T REMEMBER SEEING ANY BEAD WORK SO NAGA DOES SEEM TO BE MORE LIKELY. A INTERESTING ITEM.

14th June 2016, 01:35 PM	#7
BANDOOK Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: AUCKLAND,NEW ZEALAND Posts: 624	DOG TEETH,MOSTLY PAPUA OR IRIAN JAVA,CHEERS

22nd August 2016, 07:51 PM	#9
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Very interesting, very nice piece in anybodies collection.

26th August 2016, 08:47 AM	#13
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,183	saw an animal planet show on tv a couple weeks ago, a lady volunteer at a rescue centre in africa had a baby pangolin that had lost it's mother that she adopted. it was very bonded to the lady & followed her around like a puppy & liked crawling in bed with her. she taught it how to find pangolin food (ants, termites) in the wild and it eventually grew up and left her. she found were it lived and returned to visit it a year or so later & it remembered her and came running for a cuddle and tummy rub. those intimidating claws are for digging into ant/termite nests, not defence.