Kanatar Chain Gold Indonesia, East Sumba

A long, gold, plaited chain with a triangular shaped finial on either end decorated with spiraling, rope-like gold threads, supposedly representing stylized nagas. Spewing from the 'mouth' of the naga, is a series of rope-like threads arranged in four spirals enclosed within a band of plain gold from which hang three small chains ending in repoussé gold discs, the outer edges of which are punctuated to produce an effect of granulation on one side, the central disc embossed with a flower design.

A kanatar chain is a royal badge of office bestowed on aristocrats in East Sumba. Compare to an example published in Susan Rodgers, Power and Gold, Jewelry from Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines from the Collection of the Barbier-Mueller Museum Geneva, 1985, p. 195, cat no. 144.