Ilongot earrings, Philippines

Man’s earrings called batling, made of a red hornbill beak and a metal chain with mother-of-pearl disks and pendants. From the Ilongot people, Nothern Luzon (philippines).

The batling was a proud sign of masculine prestige and headhunting prowess, and announced that the wearer was a full adult member of village society, since he had taken a head and thus shed the burdens of immaturity. Associated with praise poems about headhunter status and masculine virtues.

From the 19th century or early 20th. In good condition, one of the mother-of-pearl pendants is loose.

Provenance: European private collection.

Size: 15 cm long

Literature:

“A world of earrings. Africa, Asia America”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2001
“Power and gold: jewelry from Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines”, Rodgers, Susan, Presteg Verlag, Geneve, 1988

P2249