For centuries, silver soul lock pendants have been worn by the Hmong to keep the restless soul from taking flight from the body until the appropriate time has come. Today there it is very difficult to locate genuine antique pieces, and newly made pieces are distinctly inferior in terms of materials and workmanship.
The Hmong are an interesting mountain dwelling people found throughout SE Asia and southern China and are 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.
Reference: Paul & Elaine Lewis, Peoples of the Golden Triangle p.54
Characteristics
Width: 6cm, 2.4 in
Height: 4.2cm, 1.7 in
Weight: 24 grams / .85oz.
Period: Early 20thC
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