Material: Cotton
Style: Hmong, South China
Size: Height 82 cm, Width 36 cm
Order Number: MHSHBC1

The Miao people are one of China’s major ethnic groups. They live in southern China mostly in Guizhou province. Miao sub-groups such as the Hmong live in northern Thailand and eastern Burma. The Hmong first started to migrate out of China and into Southeast Asia around 1800.

The Hmong have 2 major branches, the White Hmong and the Green Hmong. The Blue Hmong are also called Green Hmong. The names come from the colours of the Hmong style clothing worn by each group.

Many migrated to Laos. By 1850 they were established in the mountains around Luang Prabang. By the end of the 19th century there were several Hmong villages in Thailand. In 1984 there were 245 villages.

During World War II the Chinese tried to stop them speaking their own language or wearing their distinctive dress, but they failed.

Costumes and ornaments are considered by the Miao not only to satisfy the basic needs of life but also as precious works of art that represent the thoughts and efforts of the Maio people. They have mastered the arts of embroidery and batik.

Miao embroidery employs bold colours – green, red, bright blue, orange,  yellow and white, often on a black or  blue background.

They also used geometric patterns. The designs are  delicate and clear cut. The geometric patterns are similar to those of the Yao people and they may have had a common ancestor.

Hmong mothers devote their finest skills in making baby carrying cloths and caps. A carrying cloth resembles a bibbed apron. It is made of 2 rectangular pieces of cloth, the smaller at the top, joined together at the borders.

Straps attached to the outer corners tie around the mother’s body to secure the baby on to her back freeing her hands for other tasks.

Textiles and clothing are prized by the Hmong as family treasures, as examples of women’s needlework skills and symbols of collective ethnic identity.

There are two Hmong dialects: Blue and White. In Blue Hmong, a baby carrier is spelled hla nyia. In White Hmong, it is spelled daim nyias.

Women receive a baby carrier from their mother and/or mother-in-law when they marry or give birth to their first child for its use, but also to show desire for the couple to have many children. Hmong men and women are not considered to be adults until they have children.

When a baby is born, its paternal grandmother will make a baby carrier or a hat. Both of these objects provide physical as well as
spiritual functions, because the decoration will attract and help keep the baby’s soul in the body as well as draw protective spirits.

Baby carriers are used to carry and care for babies and small children and protect them from physical and spiritual harm. In Laos, mothers carry their infants or small child in a baby carrier to the family fields to work. Keeping the child in the carrier keeps them out of harm’s way which includes the child wandering off, hurting themselves, or being attacked by wild animals.

The spiritual protection comes from the surface embellishment which foils malevolent ‘wild’ spirits and prevents them from taking or enticing the child’s soul to leave the body.  A person becomes ill when his soul leaves the body. The geometric patterns on the central panel keep the child’s soul from leaving the body and the bad spirits from getting close to the child.

During Miao holidays they wear their colourful costumes.

Early 20th century.

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

The post 43. Hmong Baby Carrier appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: Akha
Size: Height 15 cm, Width 15 cm
Order Number: MHSAHNR1

Hung around an infant’s neck during a special ceremony, a simple silver ring represented a dog collar, which fooled evil spirits into thinking the baby was just a worthless animal, and indeed the baby was given the name of an animal guardian. It also protected the child from illness and signified that the baby had entered the human world. If it died before the ceremony, it would not have a funeral, as it had never actually left the prenatal spirit world.

When the baby outgrew the size of the ring, it was melted down and made into a larger one. As a result few infant rings are seen today.

These developed into a larger neck ring with an opening at the bottom and the ends turned back to hold a chain on either side for a symbolic lock or pendant. This is what we have here. Such neck rings were worn by babies, young boys, women and young men in many minority and Han majority groups.

Akha women wear broad flat silver neck rings. The men wear smooth round neck rings. These days aluminium is often substituted for silver. The elders highly value silver, which are prestige items.

The Akha originated in Yunnan, South China, where most still live. For hundreds of years they have been migrating south, to Burma, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam.

The first Akha village in Thailand was established around 1903 near the Burmese border. There were more villages, but probably not more than 2,500 people by 1945. By 1983 there were about 7,000.

They have no written history, but they can recite the names of their male ancestors back 13 generations and their migration routes in China, Burma and Thailand.

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

The post Akha Hilltribe Neck Ring 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: Akha
Size: Height 14.5 cm, Width 16 cm
Order Number: MHSAHNR2

Hung around an infant’s neck during a special ceremony, a simple silver ring represented a dog collar, which fooled evil spirits into thinking the baby was just a worthless animal, and indeed the baby was given the name of an animal guardian. It also protected the child from illness and signified that the baby had entered the human world. If it died before the ceremony, it would not have a funeral, as it had never actually left the prenatal spirit world.

When the baby outgrew the size of the ring, it was melted down and made into a larger one. As a result few infant rings are seen today.

These developed into a larger neck ring with an opening at the bottom and the ends turned back to hold a chain on either side for a symbolic lock or pendant. This is what we have here. Such neck rings were worn by babies, young boys, women and young men in many minority and Han majority groups.

Akha women wear broad flat silver neck rings. The men wear smooth round neck rings. These days aluminium is often substituted for silver. The elders highly value silver, which are prestige items.

The Akha originated in Yunnan, South China, where most still live. For hundreds of years they have been migrating south, to Burma, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam.

The first Akha village in Thailand was established around 1903 near the Burmese border. There were more villages, but probably not more than 2,500 people by 1945. By 1983 there were about 7,000.

They have no written history, but they can recite the names of their male ancestors back 13 generations and their migration routes in China, Burma and Thailand.

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

The post Akha Hilltribe Neck Ring 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: Akha Hilltribe
Size: Height 6 cm,  Width 7 cm
Order Number: MHSHSB1

During the Qing dynasty (1644 – 1912) wealthy Chinese Han aristocracy, Mongol and rich minority women  loved and wore silver open-ended bracelets. Some were given as betrothal gifts. The minorities gave then as presents to their future wives.

They served as both as ornaments and status symbols. The wealthier the person, the more they owned. A rich woman often commissioned silversmiths to make them pieces and they were passed down from generation to generation.

Silversmithing has been in decline from the 1970s and very few villages have a smith. The price of silver became very expensive and  robbers would steal silver jewelry. Akha women became a particular target. As a result many pieces were sold or hidden and substitutes made from aluminium.

There is a similar example in Things Thai, Tanistha Dansilp and Michael Freeman, Periplus Editions, 2002, page 126.

Early 20th century.

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

The post Akha Hilltribe Silver Bracelet 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: Hmong
Size: Height 41 cm, Width 21 cm
Order Number: MHSAHSSLN1

The Miao people live in southern China mostly in Guizhou province. Miao sub-groups such as the Hmong live in northern Thailand and eastern Burma. The Hmong have 2 major branches, the White Hmong and the Green Hmong.

Many migrated to Laos. By 1850 they were established in the mountains around Luang Prabang. By the end of the 19th century there were several Hmong villages in Thailand. In 1984 there were 245 villages.

During World War II the Chinese tried to stop them speaking their own language or wearing their distinctive dress, but they failed.

The Maio keep much of their wealth in silver jewelry.

The Hmong wear silver spirit locks, which are are padlocks or hook shaped pendants, around the neck or on the body. They function as protective amulets  to ‘lock’ the soul of a person into his or her body in the case of spiritual malaise, illness, or accident.

The Hmong are animists, who believe that everything has one or more souls, containing spirits, which are good or bad. The spirits of deceased ancestors can affect the welfare and health of the family and have to be appeased with offerings and prayers.

Shamans can communicate with the spirits. Every house has an altar where spirits are worshiped.

Humans have three souls, which can be in disarray and might leave the body if a person is frightened or stressed.  A foreign spirit might enter a person’s body, causing  illness. These beliefs explain sickness and mental illness.

To cure people, the elders led by the shaman performed a Soul Calling ceremony, casting out bad spirits or inviting good spirits into the person’s body. The spirit lock prevented the person’s soul from escaping and stopped outside spirits entering.  The size of the amulet indicated the severity of the illness or problem.

There is an important ceremony for a newborn baby, called the
soul calling ceremony, hu plig. The Hmong believe that a newborn baby has 3 souls. The first soul enters the baby on conception, and the second soul when the baby takes its first breath. The third soul has to be called on the third morning after birth.

When all 3 souls are safely in the infant’s body, it will be healthy. If not, the baby may become ill and die. The ceremony starts before sunrise and continues until noon. There is a feast for the guests.

A shaman usually performs the ceremony. The baby is given a name.
The name represents its soul. If a wrong name is given, the soul of the child is not called and the right name has to be chosen. Naming is essential for well being and growth. If a wrong name is given, the child will cry and become ill. The chant includes words that instruct the soul about its home, siblings and family, and a promise that it will be looked after by the family.

The babies wear the spirit locks for life, often on their backs.  They may wear 3 or 4 spirit locks at a time.  They are usually fastened by chains to neck rings, which may be solid or hollow and worn either singly or in sets of up to 6 tiers.

Silver jewellery is valued highly by the Hmong and spirit locks are usually made from very high grade silver (95% or above).  They are decorated with traditional tribal motifs, which may originally have related to the illness to be cured. 

They are in many sizes and shapes, rectangular, triangular, half round and square. 

They can be dated to at least the turn of the 19th century.   Old locks are rare and are very collectable.

Early 20th century.

There are similar examples in Peoples of the Golden Triangle, Six Tribes in Thailand, Paul and Elaine Lewis, Thames and Hudson, 1998, pages 52, 54, 55 and 56.

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

The post Antique Hmong Silver Neck Ring and Spirit Locks appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: Hmong
Size: Height 6.5 cm, Width 6.5 cm
Order Number: MHSAHSSL1

The Miao people live in southern China mostly in Guizhou province. Miao sub-groups such as the Hmong live in northern Thailand and eastern Burma. The Hmong have 2 major branches, the White Hmong and the Green Hmong.

Many migrated to Laos. By 1850 they were established in the mountains around Luang Prabang. By the end of the 19th century there were several Hmong villages in Thailand. In 1984 there were 245 villages.

During World War II the Chinese tried to stop them speaking their own language or wearing their distinctive dress, but they failed.

The Maio keep much of their wealth in silver jewelry.

The Hmong wear silver spirit locks, which are are padlocks or hook shaped pendants, around the neck or on the body. They function as protective amulets  to ‘lock’ the soul of a person into his or her body in the case of spiritual malaise, illness, or accident.

The Hmong are animists, who believe that everything has one or more souls, containing spirits, which are good or bad. The spirits of deceased ancestors can affect the welfare and health of the family and have to be appeased with offerings and prayers.

Shamans can communicate with the spirits. Every house has an altar where spirits are worshiped.

Humans have three souls, which can be in disarray and might leave the body if a person is frightened or stressed.  A foreign spirit might enter a person’s body, causing  illness. These beliefs explain sickness and mental illness.

To cure people, the elders led by the shaman performed a Soul Calling ceremony, casting out bad spirits or inviting good spirits into the person’s body. The spirit lock prevented the person’s soul from escaping and stopped outside spirits entering.  The size of the amulet indicated the severity of the illness or problem.

There is an important ceremony for a newborn baby, called the
soul calling ceremony, hu plig. The Hmong believe that a newborn baby has 3 souls. The first soul enters the baby on conception, and the second soul when the baby takes its first breath. The third soul has to be called on the third morning after birth.

When all 3 souls are safely in the infant’s body, it will be healthy. If not, the baby may become ill and die. The ceremony starts before sunrise and continues until noon. There is a feast for the guests.

A shaman usually performs the ceremony. The baby is given a name.
The name represents its soul. If a wrong name is given, the soul of the child is not called and the right name has to be chosen. Naming is essential for well being and growth. If a wrong name is given, the child will cry and become ill. The chant includes words that instruct the soul about its home, siblings and family, and a promise that it will be looked after by the family.

The babies wear the spirit locks for life, often on their backs.  They may wear 3 or 4 spirit locks at a time.  They are usually fastened by chains to neck rings, which may be solid or hollow and worn either singly or in sets of up to 6 tiers.

Silver jewellery is valued highly by the Hmong and spirit locks are usually made from very high grade silver (95% or above).  They are decorated with traditional tribal motifs, which may originally have related to the illness to be cured. 

They are in many sizes and shapes, rectangular, triangular, half round and square. 

They can be dated to at least the turn of the 19th century.   Old locks are rare and are very collectable.

Early 20th century.

There are similar examples in Peoples of the Golden Triangle, Six Tribes in Thailand, Paul and Elaine Lewis, Thames and Hudson, 1998, pages 52, 54, 55 and 56.

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

The post Antique Hmong Silver Spirit Lock 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: Hmong
Size: Height 7.75 cm, Width 4.5 cm
Order Number: MHSAHSSL2

The Miao people live in southern China mostly in Guizhou province. Miao sub-groups such as the Hmong live in northern Thailand and eastern Burma. The Hmong have 2 major branches, the White Hmong and the Green Hmong.

Many migrated to Laos. By 1850 they were established in the mountains around Luang Prabang. By the end of the 19th century there were several Hmong villages in Thailand. In 1984 there were 245 villages.

During World War II the Chinese tried to stop them speaking their own language or wearing their distinctive dress, but they failed.

The Maio keep much of their wealth in silver jewelry.

The Hmong wear silver spirit locks, which are are padlocks or hook shaped pendants, around the neck or on the body. They function as protective amulets  to ‘lock’ the soul of a person into his or her body in the case of spiritual malaise, illness, or accident.

The Hmong are animists, who believe that everything has one or more souls, containing spirits, which are good or bad. The spirits of deceased ancestors can affect the welfare and health of the family and have to be appeased with offerings and prayers.

Shamans can communicate with the spirits. Every house has an altar where spirits are worshiped.

Humans have three souls, which can be in disarray and might leave the body if a person is frightened or stressed.  A foreign spirit might enter a person’s body, causing  illness. These beliefs explain sickness and mental illness.

To cure people, the elders led by the shaman performed a Soul Calling ceremony, casting out bad spirits or inviting good spirits into the person’s body. The spirit lock prevented the person’s soul from escaping and stopped outside spirits entering.  The size of the amulet indicated the severity of the illness or problem.

There is an important ceremony for a newborn baby, called the
soul calling ceremony, hu plig. The Hmong believe that a newborn baby has 3 souls. The first soul enters the baby on conception, and the second soul when the baby takes its first breath. The third soul has to be called on the third morning after birth.

When all 3 souls are safely in the infant’s body, it will be healthy. If not, the baby may become ill and die. The ceremony starts before sunrise and continues until noon. There is a feast for the guests.

A shaman usually performs the ceremony. The baby is given a name.
The name represents its soul. If a wrong name is given, the soul of the child is not called and the right name has to be chosen. Naming is essential for well being and growth. If a wrong name is given, the child will cry and become ill. The chant includes words that instruct the soul about its home, siblings and family, and a promise that it will be looked after by the family.

The babies wear the spirit locks for life, often on their backs.  They may wear 3 or 4 spirit locks at a time.  They are usually fastened by chains to neck rings, which may be solid or hollow and worn either singly or in sets of up to 6 tiers.

Silver jewellery is valued highly by the Hmong and spirit locks are usually made from very high grade silver (95% or above).  They are decorated with traditional tribal motifs, which may originally have related to the illness to be cured. 

They are in many sizes and shapes, rectangular, triangular, half round and square. 

They can be dated to at least the turn of the 19th century.   Old locks are rare and are very collectable.

Engraved on both sides. Early 20th century.

There are similar examples in Peoples of the Golden Triangle, Six Tribes in Thailand, Paul and Elaine Lewis, Thames and Hudson, 1998, pages 52, 54, 55 and 56.

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

The post Antique Hmong Silver Spirit Lock 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: Hmong
Size: Height 7.5 cm, Width 7.5 cm
Order Number: MHSAHSSL3

The Miao people live in southern China mostly in Guizhou province. Miao sub-groups such as the Hmong live in northern Thailand and eastern Burma. The Hmong have 2 major branches, the White Hmong and the Green Hmong.

Many migrated to Laos. By 1850 they were established in the mountains around Luang Prabang. By the end of the 19th century there were several Hmong villages in Thailand. In 1984 there were 245 villages.

During World War II the Chinese tried to stop them speaking their own language or wearing their distinctive dress, but they failed.

The Maio keep much of their wealth in silver jewelry.

The Hmong wear silver spirit locks, which are are padlocks or hook shaped pendants, around the neck or on the body. They function as protective amulets  to ‘lock’ the soul of a person into his or her body in the case of spiritual malaise, illness, or accident.

The Hmong are animists, who believe that everything has one or more souls, containing spirits, which are good or bad. The spirits of deceased ancestors can affect the welfare and health of the family and have to be appeased with offerings and prayers.

Shamans can communicate with the spirits. Every house has an altar where spirits are worshiped.

Humans have three souls, which can be in disarray and might leave the body if a person is frightened or stressed.  A foreign spirit might enter a person’s body, causing  illness. These beliefs explain sickness and mental illness.

To cure people, the elders led by the shaman performed a Soul Calling ceremony, casting out bad spirits or inviting good spirits into the person’s body. The spirit lock prevented the person’s soul from escaping and stopped outside spirits entering.  The size of the amulet indicated the severity of the illness or problem.

There is an important ceremony for a newborn baby, called the
soul calling ceremony, hu plig. The Hmong believe that a newborn baby has 3 souls. The first soul enters the baby on conception, and the second soul when the baby takes its first breath. The third soul has to be called on the third morning after birth.

When all 3 souls are safely in the infant’s body, it will be healthy. If not, the baby may become ill and die. The ceremony starts before sunrise and continues until noon. There is a feast for the guests.

A shaman usually performs the ceremony. The baby is given a name.
The name represents its soul. If a wrong name is given, the soul of the child is not called and the right name has to be chosen. Naming is essential for well being and growth. If a wrong name is given, the child will cry and become ill. The chant includes words that instruct the soul about its home, siblings and family, and a promise that it will be looked after by the family.

The babies wear the spirit locks for life, often on their backs.  They may wear 3 or 4 spirit locks at a time.  They are usually fastened by chains to neck rings, which may be solid or hollow and worn either singly or in sets of up to 6 tiers.

Silver jewellery is valued highly by the Hmong and spirit locks are usually made from very high grade silver (95% or above).  They are decorated with traditional tribal motifs, which may originally have related to the illness to be cured. 

They are in many sizes and shapes, rectangular, triangular, half round and square. 

They can be dated to at least the turn of the 19th century.   Old locks are rare and are very collectable.

Early 20th century.

There are similar examples in Peoples of the Golden Triangle, Six Tribes in Thailand, Paul and Elaine Lewis, Thames and Hudson, 1998, pages 52, 54, 55 and 56.

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

The post Antique Hmong Silver Spirit Lock 3 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: Hmong
Size: Height 9.75 cm, Width 6.25 cm
Order Number: MHSAHSSL4

The Miao people live in southern China mostly in Guizhou province. Miao sub-groups such as the Hmong live in northern Thailand and eastern Burma. The Hmong have 2 major branches, the White Hmong and the Green Hmong.

Many migrated to Laos. By 1850 they were established in the mountains around Luang Prabang. By the end of the 19th century there were several Hmong villages in Thailand. In 1984 there were 245 villages.

During World War II the Chinese tried to stop them speaking their own language or wearing their distinctive dress, but they failed.

The Maio keep much of their wealth in silver jewelry.

The Hmong wear silver spirit locks, which are are padlocks or hook shaped pendants, around the neck or on the body. They function as protective amulets  to ‘lock’ the soul of a person into his or her body in the case of spiritual malaise, illness, or accident.

The Hmong are animists, who believe that everything has one or more souls, containing spirits, which are good or bad. The spirits of deceased ancestors can affect the welfare and health of the family and have to be appeased with offerings and prayers.

Shamans can communicate with the spirits. Every house has an altar where spirits are worshiped.

Humans have three souls, which can be in disarray and might leave the body if a person is frightened or stressed.  A foreign spirit might enter a person’s body, causing  illness. These beliefs explain sickness and mental illness.

To cure people, the elders led by the shaman performed a Soul Calling ceremony, casting out bad spirits or inviting good spirits into the person’s body. The spirit lock prevented the person’s soul from escaping and stopped outside spirits entering.  The size of the amulet indicated the severity of the illness or problem.

There is an important ceremony for a newborn baby, called the
soul calling ceremony, hu plig. The Hmong believe that a newborn baby has 3 souls. The first soul enters the baby on conception, and the second soul when the baby takes its first breath. The third soul has to be called on the third morning after birth.

When all 3 souls are safely in the infant’s body, it will be healthy. If not, the baby may become ill and die. The ceremony starts before sunrise and continues until noon. There is a feast for the guests.

A shaman usually performs the ceremony. The baby is given a name.
The name represents its soul. If a wrong name is given, the soul of the child is not called and the right name has to be chosen. Naming is essential for well being and growth. If a wrong name is given, the child will cry and become ill. The chant includes words that instruct the soul about its home, siblings and family, and a promise that it will be looked after by the family.

The babies wear the spirit locks for life, often on their backs.  They may wear 3 or 4 spirit locks at a time.  They are usually fastened by chains to neck rings, which may be solid or hollow and worn either singly or in sets of up to 6 tiers.

Silver jewellery is valued highly by the Hmong and spirit locks are usually made from very high grade silver (95% or above).  They are decorated with traditional tribal motifs, which may originally have related to the illness to be cured. 

They are in many sizes and shapes, rectangular, triangular, half round and square. 

They can be dated to at least the turn of the 19th century.   Old locks are rare and are very collectable.

Early 20th century.

There are similar examples in Peoples of the Golden Triangle, Six Tribes in Thailand, Paul and Elaine Lewis, Thames and Hudson, 1998, pages 52, 54, 55 and 56.

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

The post Antique Hmong Silver Spirit Lock 4 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: Hmong
Size: Height 9 cm, Width 6 cm
Order Number: MHSAHSSL5

The Miao people live in southern China mostly in Guizhou province. Miao sub-groups such as the Hmong live in northern Thailand and eastern Burma. The Hmong have 2 major branches, the White Hmong and the Green Hmong.

Many migrated to Laos. By 1850 they were established in the mountains around Luang Prabang. By the end of the 19th century there were several Hmong villages in Thailand. In 1984 there were 245 villages.

During World War II the Chinese tried to stop them speaking their own language or wearing their distinctive dress, but they failed.

The Maio keep much of their wealth in silver jewelry.

The Hmong wear silver spirit locks, which are are padlocks or hook shaped pendants, around the neck or on the body. They function as protective amulets  to ‘lock’ the soul of a person into his or her body in the case of spiritual malaise, illness, or accident.

The Hmong are animists, who believe that everything has one or more souls, containing spirits, which are good or bad. The spirits of deceased ancestors can affect the welfare and health of the family and have to be appeased with offerings and prayers.

Shamans can communicate with the spirits. Every house has an altar where spirits are worshiped.

Humans have three souls, which can be in disarray and might leave the body if a person is frightened or stressed.  A foreign spirit might enter a person’s body, causing  illness. These beliefs explain sickness and mental illness.

To cure people, the elders led by the shaman performed a Soul Calling ceremony, casting out bad spirits or inviting good spirits into the person’s body. The spirit lock prevented the person’s soul from escaping and stopped outside spirits entering.  The size of the amulet indicated the severity of the illness or problem.

There is an important ceremony for a newborn baby, called the
soul calling ceremony, hu plig. The Hmong believe that a newborn baby has 3 souls. The first soul enters the baby on conception, and the second soul when the baby takes its first breath. The third soul has to be called on the third morning after birth.

When all 3 souls are safely in the infant’s body, it will be healthy. If not, the baby may become ill and die. The ceremony starts before sunrise and continues until noon. There is a feast for the guests.

A shaman usually performs the ceremony. The baby is given a name.
The name represents its soul. If a wrong name is given, the soul of the child is not called and the right name has to be chosen. Naming is essential for well being and growth. If a wrong name is given, the child will cry and become ill. The chant includes words that instruct the soul about its home, siblings and family, and a promise that it will be looked after by the family.

The babies wear the spirit locks for life, often on their backs.  They may wear 3 or 4 spirit locks at a time.  They are usually fastened by chains to neck rings, which may be solid or hollow and worn either singly or in sets of up to 6 tiers.

Silver jewellery is valued highly by the Hmong and spirit locks are usually made from very high grade silver (95% or above).  They are decorated with traditional tribal motifs, which may originally have related to the illness to be cured. 

They are in many sizes and shapes, rectangular, triangular, half round and square. 

They can be dated to at least the turn of the 19th century.   Old locks are rare and are very collectable.

Early 20th century.

There are similar examples in Peoples of the Golden Triangle, Six Tribes in Thailand, Paul and Elaine Lewis, Thames and Hudson, 1998, pages 52, 54, 55 and 56.

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

The post Antique Hmong Silver Spirit Lock 5 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Cotton
Style: Yao
Size: Height 17 cm, Width 35 cm (to the pompom)
Order Number: MHSAYWH1

The hat of stiffened cotton with three bright pompoms was worn at the front of the head. The Yao woman’s comb was worn at the back of the head and added a fourth pompom to a very distinctive tribal hat.

Many visitors to Northern Thailand will have seen Yao people. The women wear turbans and a flowing gown with a red woolly collar and hand embroidered trousers. They  carry their youngest child on their backs in a decorated cloth babycarrier. The men wear indigo jackets with silver buttons.

They are scattered in many parts of South China, Vietnam, Thailand and Laos and practise slash and burn agriculture, producing mainly rice for themselves and maize for their poultry and pigs. They also grow opium.

The Yao are a very ancient minority.  During the last 1,000 years they have migrated slowly from central China  to the southern provinces and from there to north Vietnam, northern Thailand and  northern Laos.

Reference to Yao was made first in a T’ang dynasty (618-906 AD) document – mo yao – meaning ‘not subject to compulsory service’. It probably indicates a settlement following a Yao rebellion. The mo was dropped during the Sung dynasty (960-1279 AD).

They broke up into several groups and sub-groups. They speak four main languages. The largest segment, about two-thirds of the Yao population, are the Mien and Mun language speakers.

The Yao have a close affinity with silver and it unifies all the Yao groups. They wear it every day and believe it keeps their souls within their bodies. A good part of their savings was invested in silver and passed down the generations. They did not use gold.

The White Hmong and the Green Hmong are two sub-groups of the Miao people. The majority live in South China. During World War II the Chinese tried to stop them speaking their own language or wearing their distinctive dress, but they failed.

Many migrated to Laos. By 1850 they were established in the mountains around Luang Prabang. By the end of the 19th century there were several Hmong villages in Thailand. In 1984 there were 245 villages.

Mid 20th century.

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

The post Antique Yao Woman’s Headdress appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: Chinese
Size: Height chain 11 cm,  Height lock 12 cm, Width lock 8 cm
Order Number: MHSCSL1

During baby ceremonies throughout China during the Qing dynasty (1644 – 1912) the father or priest would drape a symbolic lock and chain over the baby’s neck to symbolically lock the child to the earth and safeguard it against evil spirits, who might snatch the baby away.

Teenage boys wore locks. Women also wore symbolic locks at their weddings.

The weight and size of these locks varies a lot. The dangles are as varied as the locks themselves and may be pomegranates, lotus blossoms, monkeys, fish or pigs. Shapes may be scallop, butterfly, kidney, cylinder, rectangular, hexagonal,  or multi-edged. The repoussé images may be floral, good luck symbols, dragons, mythological, folk-story or opera scenes. Chinese deities, calligraphy and Buddhist symbols, such as the lotus, peony and plum, were also popular.

One side of the lock has a scene of five people, with floral designs, and on the other side there is a young man riding the mystical qilin, which shows the wish for a son to became an important official.

Qilin is pronounced ‘cheelin’. During the Qing dynasty every qilin hung on a detachable chain.  

The young man is wearing the robes of a successful civil servant examination candidate. He appears to be smiling with joy. The qilin is sometimes called a unicorn in Chinese literature. It has a dragon’s head with one to three fleshy horns tipped with hair, a scaly body shaped like a deer, horse’s hooves, and a lion’s mane and tail. Qilin ate grass, never meat, moved regally and had a musical voice. Fluffy clouds surround the animal.

Qilin are one of the Four Mythical Creatures, along with the dragon, tortoise and phoenix, which together bring order to the universe. Qilin rule the west, facilitate autumn, time of maturity and fulfillment. Dragons reign over the east, influence spring by determining rainfall levels, The tortoise controls the north, initiates harsh winters and is a symbol of longevity, The phoenix controls the south and summer, represents happiness and warmth and appears only during times of peace.

Boys started to prepare for the exams at the age of 8 or 9 and continued into their late teens. When the young man went to the capital to take his civil service exams, the walls around the room were decorated with paper qilins. Embroidered qilins hung on the walls of many houses to bless the family with a distinguished son.

In this one the young man wears the long official gown of a candidate coming first in his exams. The qilin is in motion. Bells are on the end of the dangles to frighten away evil spirits.

There are examples in Four Centuries of Silver, Personal Adornment in the Qing Dynasty and After, Margaret Duda, Times Editions, 2002, pages 32-41 and 59-65.

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

The post Chinese Symbolic Lock appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: Karen Hilltribe, Burma
Size: Diameter 5 cm
Order Number: MHSKHSB1

The Karen peoples comprise many ethnic groups, originally from China. They do not identify with each other. The Karen live  mostly in southern and southeastern Burma (Myanmar). There are about 7 million of them.

The Karen first migrated from Burma to Thailand in the 18th century. Many live on the Thailand–Burmese border. They are the largest tribal group in Thailand.

They do not wear the heavy types of jewelry used by other hilltribe groups. They like to cover their arms with bracelets. Some are flat and narrow and others are round and smooth, twisted or coiled. The women wear silver earrings.

Ethnic design.

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

The post Karen Hilltribe Bracelets 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: Karen Hilltribe, Burma
Size: Diameter 4.5 cm
Order Number: MHSKHSB2

The Karen peoples comprise many ethnic groups, originally from China. They do not identify with each other. The Karen live  mostly in southern and southeastern Burma (Myanmar). There are about 7 million of them.

The Karen first migrated from Burma to Thailand in the 18th century. Many live on the Thailand–Burmese border. They are the largest tribal group in Thailand.

They do not wear the heavy types of jewelry used by other hilltribe groups. They like to cover their arms with bracelets. Some are flat and narrow and others are round and smooth, twisted or coiled. The women wear silver earrings.

Ethnic design.

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

The post Karen Hilltribe Bracelets 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: Karen Hilltribe, Burma
Size: Diameter 3 cm
Order Number: MHSAKHEP1

The Karen peoples comprise many ethnic groups, originally from China. They do not identify with each other. The Karen live  mostly in southern and southeastern Burma (Myanmar). There are about 7 million of them.

The Karen first migrated from Burma to Thailand in the 18th century. Many live on the Thailand–Burmese border. They are the largest tribal group in Thailand.

They do not wear the heavy types of jewelry used by other hilltribe groups. They like to cover their arms with bracelets. Some are flat and narrow and others are round and smooth, twisted or coiled. The women wear silver earrings.

Ear plugs (nga-daung) were worn as an adornment  by hill tribes and also by all levels of Burmese society, both men and women. Royalty and the nobility would have used ones made of precious material.

The ear lobe was pierced and the aperture was gradually enlarged. The ear plug was inserted. The weight of the heavier ones could extend the length of the ear lobe by up to 5 centimeters.

They are rarely seen nowadays. This is a beautiful example, which has some notations on the top with patina.

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

The post Karen Hilltribe Ear Plug 1 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: Karen Hilltribe, Burma
Size: Diameter 2.75 cm
Order Number: MHSAKHEP2

The Karen peoples comprise many ethnic groups, originally from China. They do not identify with each other. The Karen live  mostly in southern and southeastern Burma (Myanmar). There are about 7 million of them.

The Karen first migrated from Burma to Thailand in the 18th century. Many live on the Thailand–Burmese border. They are the largest tribal group in Thailand.

They do not wear the heavy types of jewelry used by other hilltribe groups. They like to cover their arms with bracelets. Some are flat and narrow and others are round and smooth, twisted or coiled. The women wear silver earrings.

Ear plugs (nga-daung) were worn as an adornment by hill tribes and also by all levels of Burmese society, both men and women. Royalty and the nobility would have used ones made of precious material.

The ear lobe was pierced and the aperture was gradually enlarged. The ear plug was inserted. The weight of the heavier ones could extend the length of the ear lobe by up to 5 centimeters.

They are rarely seen nowadays. This is a beautiful example, which has some notations on the top with patina.

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

The post Karen Hilltribe Ear Plug 2 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: Karen Hilltribe, Burma
Size: Plug: Height 2.5 cm, Diameter 3 cm
Order Number: MHSAKHEP10

The Karen peoples comprise many ethnic groups, originally from China. They do not identify with each other. The Karen live  mostly in southern and southeastern Burma (Myanmar). There are about 7 million of them.

The Karen first migrated from Burma to Thailand in the 18th century. Many live on the Thailand–Burmese border. They are the largest tribal group in Thailand.

They do not wear the heavy types of jewelry used by other hilltribe groups. They like to cover their arms with bracelets. Some are flat and narrow and others are round and smooth, twisted or coiled. The women wear silver earrings.

Ear plugs (nga-daung) were worn as an adornment by hill tribes and also by all levels of Burmese society, both men and women. Royalty and the nobility would have used ones made of precious material.

The ear lobe was pierced and the aperture was gradually enlarged. The ear plug was inserted. The weight of the heavier ones could extend the length of the ear lobe by up to 5 centimeters.

They are rarely seen nowadays. This is a beautiful example, with patina.

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

The post Karen Hilltribe Ear Plugs 10 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: Karen Hilltribe, Burma
Size: Height 1.75 cm, Diameter 2.75 cm (top), 1.75 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSAKHEP3

The Karen peoples comprise many ethnic groups, originally from China. They do not identify with each other. The Karen live  mostly in southern and southeastern Burma (Myanmar). There are about 7 million of them.

The Karen first migrated from Burma to Thailand in the 18th century. Many live on the Thailand–Burmese border. They are the largest tribal group in Thailand.

They do not wear the heavy types of jewelry used by other hilltribe groups. They like to cover their arms with bracelets. Some are flat and narrow and others are round and smooth, twisted or coiled. The women wear silver earrings.

Ear plugs (nga-daung) were worn as an adornment by hill tribes and also by all levels of Burmese society, both men and women. Royalty and the nobility would have used ones made of precious material.

The ear lobe was pierced and the aperture was gradually enlarged. The ear plug was inserted. The weight of the heavier ones could extend the length of the ear lobe by up to 5 centimeters.

They are rarely seen nowadays. This is a beautiful example, with patina.

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

The post Karen Hilltribe Ear Plugs 3 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: Karen Hilltribe, Burma
Size: Height 2 cm, Diameter 2.5 cm (top), 1.75 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSAKHEP4

The Karen peoples comprise many ethnic groups, originally from China. They do not identify with each other. The Karen live  mostly in southern and southeastern Burma (Myanmar). There are about 7 million of them.

The Karen first migrated from Burma to Thailand in the 18th century. Many live on the Thailand–Burmese border. They are the largest tribal group in Thailand.

They do not wear the heavy types of jewelry used by other hilltribe groups. They like to cover their arms with bracelets. Some are flat and narrow and others are round and smooth, twisted or coiled. The women wear silver earrings.

Ear plugs (nga-daung) were worn as an adornment by hill tribes and also by all levels of Burmese society, both men and women. Royalty and the nobility would have used ones made of precious material.

The ear lobe was pierced and the aperture was gradually enlarged. The ear plug was inserted. The weight of the heavier ones could extend the length of the ear lobe by up to 5 centimeters.

They are rarely seen nowadays. This is a beautiful example, with patina.

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

The post Karen Hilltribe Ear Plugs 4 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.

Material: Silver
Style: Karen Hilltribe, Burma
Size: Height 1.75 cm, Diameter 3.5 cm (top), 2.25 cm (bottom)
Order Number: MHSAKHEP5

The Karen peoples comprise many ethnic groups, originally from China. They do not identify with each other. The Karen live  mostly in southern and southeastern Burma (Myanmar). There are about 7 million of them.

The Karen first migrated from Burma to Thailand in the 18th century. Many live on the Thailand–Burmese border. They are the largest tribal group in Thailand.

They do not wear the heavy types of jewelry used by other hilltribe groups. They like to cover their arms with bracelets. Some are flat and narrow and others are round and smooth, twisted or coiled. The women wear silver earrings.

Ear plugs (nga-daung) were worn as an adornment by hill tribes and also by all levels of Burmese society, both men and women. Royalty and the nobility would have used ones made of precious material.

The ear lobe was pierced and the aperture was gradually enlarged. The ear plug was inserted. The weight of the heavier ones could extend the length of the ear lobe by up to 5 centimeters.

They are rarely seen nowadays. This is a beautiful example, with patina.

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

The post Karen Hilltribe Ear Plugs 5 appeared first on Murni's in Bali.