Chinese Minorities Silver Torque
Solid Silver Neck Ring Torque of Five Rings
Hmong or Mien (Yao) – Thailand, China, Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia
19th-early 20th century
width at widest point: 20.3cm, height at widest point: 20.5cm, weight: 823g
This series of cast solid silver, graduated neck rings or torques is from the Golden Triangle shared by northern Thailand, southern China, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Such neck rings were worn by the Hmong or Mien (Yao) people of the area. Typically, the women of these groups wore copious quantities of silver jewellery as a store of wealth.
Such neck rings were worn bu both men and women from an early age and are said to be worn to keep the wearer’s soul from escaping.
Each ring is solid and engraved with the owner’s name.
Borel (1994, p. 180), Pourret (2002, p. 146), and Lewis (1984, p. 50-53) illustrates related examples.
the set here is in excellent condition but with a good patina demonstrating its age.
References
Borel, F., The Splendour of Ethnic Jewelry: From the Colette and Jean-Pierre Ghysels Collection, Thames & Hudson, 1994.
Lewis, P. & E.,
Peoples of the Golden Triangle: Six Tribes in Thailand, Thames & Hudson, 1984.
Pourret, J.G.,
The Yao: The Mien and Mun Yao in China, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, Thames & Hudson, 2002.Provenance:
UK antique market
Inventory no.: 3248
SOLD
