Metal hair pins, called “Sipna”, usually made of aluminium.
According to Anne van Cutsem (see literature) these hairpins are from Arunachal Pradesh, India. The catalog of the Tribal Museum of Bhubaneswar (Odisha) states that Sipna are worn by the Dongria Kondh women of Chatikona in the Rayagada district.
This scissor-shaped, aluminium hairpin is crafted by the Gasi artisans through lost wax process. Dongria Kondh women use it by decorating their bun during marriages and festive occasions.
Late 19th or early 20th century.
Dimensions:
Big sipna: 15 x 12 cm
Small sipna: 12 x 6,5 cm
Literature:
“Parures de tête ethniques d’afrique, d’Asie d’Océanie et d’Amérique”, van Cutsem, Anne, Skira, 2005
IND1604-5
