The Daalder Collection of Ethnic Jewellery and Adornment, after 2007
Neck Ring (Nifato-Fato) from Indonesia

Neck Ring (Nifato-Fato) from Indonesia

This neck ring from the Ono Niha people on the island of Nias, Indonesia, is very light and thin, making it eminently wearable even though it is 29 cm in width. Because it made such a powerful impression, it was only worn by noblemen. The most expensive nifato-fatos were made entirely of gold. If an aristocrat had a smaller purse, he could get one made of copper and mix it with gold and silver, like ours. The middle class wore similar items made of brass and copper. Slaves wore nothing at all and were treated like animals. A good reference to consult is Nias: Tribal Treasures by Jerome Feldman and Alain Viaro.