Naga Forged Iron Hair Pick, Based

Nearby, a rusty, slender fork with a long neck and a pointed top.

This hair pick is Naga, from Nagaland, Northeast India, and dates to the 19th century. It is forged iron. The Naga peoples of northeast India and Myanmar have a long tradition of forging iron and brass, and personal ornaments and tools were often made by local smiths. Pictured here, a tall, thin form that tapers to a sharp point at the top. The lower part splits into two long, narrow prongs. The surface is pitted and rust brown with a rough, hand-forged look, standing on a square black base. It is 1 inches wide and 8.75 high.

Gaunt, gawky and strangely elegant, like a rusty heron.