A Nias nobleman's gold ‘nifato-fato’ necklace
A crescent-shaped gold necklace hammered into folded ridges, the end fastened by interlocking hooks.
Diam. approx. 34 cm
Provenance:
Collection Rinck Hollnberger, Munich
The nifato-fato is central to the ceremonial costume of the Ono Niha people and worn by men of high status in North and Central Nias. In South Nias, they were known as kalambagi* and were also worn by aristocratic women. (Rodgers, 1985) The crescent-shape and the full circle evoke phases of the moon, and thus renewal. (Carpenter, 2012)
References:
- B. Carpenter & A. Richter, Gold Jewellery of the Indonesian Archipelago, Singapore, Editions Didier Millet, 2012, pp. 420-423
- J. Feldman, Nias Tribal treasures, cosmic reflections in stone, wood and gold, Amsterdam, Nabrink, 1990, pl. 38, pp. 121, cat. no. 156, 157, 158
- S. Rodgers & P. Ferrazzini, Power and gold: Jewelry from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, Geneva, Barbier-Müller Museum, 1985, cat. 1, 2, 5, pp. 88-89, 319
For a comparable piece, see: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, acc. no. [2000.160.21](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/318571?&searchField=All&sortBy=Relevance&where=Indonesia&what=Gold&ft=&offset=720&rpp=80&pos=729).
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