VERY RARE ZULU WARRIOR'S PROTECTIVE WAR CHARM NECKLACE

A necklace of large wooden blocks, each one averaging an inch long, threaded on a thong, and including pieces of hide and what appears to be a piece of monitor-lizard (legavaan) skin. This is a 19th century protective charm worn by Zulu warriors on going into battle; it includes a number of elements in common with the famous 'iziqu' bravery-bead necklace but the wooden blocks are less refined. A more complex version of this protective necklace, with added animal teeth and pouches of medicine, and which was collected by Major Anthony Durnford RE (later of iSandlwana fame) during King Cetshwayo's coronation ceremonies can be found in the Royal Engineers' Museum, Chatham. Although a good deal of decorative Zulu beadwork has survived, war charms like this are extremely rare.