The Hmong are a fiercely independent mountain dwelling people found throughout SE Asia and southern China and were renowned for their silversmith skills and unique designs. They were the first hill tribe group to successfully cultivate opium, which provided the income to amass silver and fashion it into adornments. Sadly today, new Hmong jewelry is made from aluminum along with inferior alloys and the workmanship is inferior to that of the past.
Reference: Paul & Elaine Lewis, Peoples of the Golden Triangle p.66
Characteristics
Width: 7.5cm, 2 in
Height: 6cm, 2 in
Weight: 82 grams / 3oz.
Period: 19th century
Provenance: Luang Prabang, Laos
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