Old tribal knife from the NAGA, Northern India

Beautiful authentic utensil, this knife from the Naga people from northern India. The Naga are best known as headhunters. Objects from the Naga are particularly sought after by collectors of ethnographic items. This is an authentic and intensively used (cutting) knife. Expertly forged with perfect balance so that the knife does exactly what it is supposed to do when used. The handle is made of wood partly wrapped with rattan and a kind of plaster tape with horse hair. Patina is convincing and appropriate to use. Difficult to put a year on it... 1950s-60s seems likely. Rare item!

Length: 48cm
Height on stand: 15 cm
Total weight: 615 grams
Origin: Northern India
Provenance: Obtained from a private collection in Leiden, the Netherlands