Title
Bracelet
Year/Period
Late 19th-early 20th century
Region
North Sumatra
Dimension
Object size: 12.5 x 8.8 x 1.6 cm
Accession No.
2002-00566
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. Edmond Chin
This sliver gilt bracelet is called ‘gelang sarung’ and is formed of three sliding tubes of metal, decorated with appliqué silver-thread spiral designs and silver balls. This bracelet was used by aristocratic bridegrooms, by men of the upper classes during the funerals of their fathers, and as a sort of protective amulet by men when they did not have good dreams. Jewellery has many different functions in island Southeast Asia, for example it was used 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.
