Material: Silver
Style: Vietnam
Size: Diameter  5.5 cm; Chain: Length 12 cm
Order Number: MHSACSOB1

The Tai Deng people (Red Tai, named after the predominant colour of their exquisitely woven ceremonial costumes) lived in the western Lang Chanh district of Than Hoa province near the Laos  border in north-central Vietnam.

This sliding, heart-shaped, silver box was used to keep tobacco, lime and cosmetics decorated with repoussage and engraving. It may also have been used to keep an opium block for travelling. Opium blocks were small and could ooze in warm weather, so a tight box was required with a  good fitting lid. Opium had to be kept air-tight also.

It is a chatelaine, worn around the waist by Vietnamese women. A chatelaine is a hook, often worn at the waist, with a chain suspended from it to hold useful items, such as a pocket watch for the wealthy, keys or in this case tobacco, lime and cosmetics (or possibly opium) by Tai Deng women.

There are similar examples in The Jewelry of Southeast Asia, Ann Richter, Thames & Hudson, 2000, page 133.

Early 20th century.

Chatelaine worn by a European lady.

Please ask for the price (or make an offer).

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