This gold hair ornament is elaborately decorated with floral and insect motifs using the filigree technique. The floral and insect motifs symbolise fertility. This hair ornament was worn by wealthy women in the region and the filigree work reflects Chinese influence in the design. Jewellery has many different functions in island Southeast Asia, for example it was used as adornment, to indicate social positions, to symbolise the importance of the social relationship between the giver and the receiver during gift exchanges, and to serve as miniature religious objects.
