Title
Bracelet
Year/Period
Early 20th century
Region
Northern Thailand
Dimension
Object size: H1.8 x D7.4 cm
Accession No.
1993-00589
Collection of
This bracelet represents a fraction of the wide repertoire of silver jewellery made, worn and exchanged by highland communities in northern Thailand. Several types of bracelets with coiled, plaited and twisted forms were worn. This solid band of silver has a coiled silver strand soldered to it. Silver was valued more highly than gold by many highland communities. Silver jewellery was a way of investing a family’s wealth to be passed down as heirlooms. It was also believed to have protective properties. Today, where security maybe a problem, silver is kept locked away whilst aluminium is used as a substitute.
