Title
Bracelet
Year/Period
Early 20th century
Region
Northern Thailand
Dimension
Object size: H0.6 x D10.1 cm
Accession No.
1993-00845
Collection of
This bracelet represents a fraction of the wide repertoire of jewellery made, worn and exchanged by highland communities in northern Thailand. Several types of bracelets with coiled, plaited and twisted forms were worn. This type is worn by the Karen people.For many highland communities, silver was valued more highly than gold. 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 while aluminium is used as a substitute.The Karen is the largest tribal group in Thailand. Originally thought to have come from Tibet, they migrated into Thailand from Burma during the 18th century.
