Naga Blanket with Cowrie Shells: Fine, old and rare Chang Naga, three paneled body “prestige” cloth with anthropomorphic cowry shell design. The cloth may have been woven by the Meitei of the Manipur State of India and used as a trade cloth to the Nagas. Made from very fine hand spun cotton weft and silk wapr, the cowry shells have a fine toned aged patina. This is a genuinely old cloth circa 50 to 70 years old (not for the tourist market). This kind of cloth signifies the owner has given a series of feasts or taken a head. There is one 3cm hole, and two frays on selvedge as well as what appears to be an ink stain as well as the usual pin holes- see enlargements. The colors on this piece are quite striking without being too bright and the shell pattern very simple and understated. The cloth is very soft and supple because of the silk warp. l: 180cm/72in and w: 109cm/43in. https://www.trocadero.com/stores/abhayaasianart/items/1388133/Naga-Blank...