Asian Antiques

Unbeatable Chinese Miao silver jewelry art

Who are the Miao?

Can you imagine wearing 40 pounds of pure silver ornaments from head to toe? Well, the Miao are a nation who proudly show off the beauty with their handmade, elaborately designed silver jewelry in a way that almost covers their entire body! Living in the mountainous areas of south and southwestern China, the Miao ethnic group love silver and regard silver as a symbol of light of hope. There are so many different kinds of Miao silver ornaments, here are just a few:

Silver headdresses

Miao silver headdresses are quite a sight and are worn only on very special occasions, like weddings or important holidays. They include three different parts: the horns, the hat, and the hood.

Silver horns: The silver horns are the most important part of a Miao silver headdress, and they are crafted to mimic the horns of an ox. From one horn to another, the headpiece can stretch nearly three feet and reach almost the same height. So they are nearly half the height of the wearer!

The patterns of the horn are quite impressive. They often sport a beautiful design of two dragons playing with a ball. Women place a pair of white feathers onto the horn to make it higher and more beautiful, or adorn the horn with some silver flowers and butterflies.

Silver hat: A silver hat is the base of the headdress and can be a foot tall. It’s completely covered with silver flowers, birds, animals, bells, and tassels. Behind the hat are twelve pieces of silver feathers hanging all the way down to their waist.

Silver hood: The silver hood hangs down from the hat and covers parts of the face and neck. In some Miao areas, the silver hood has five ornaments placed on it, with the biggest one in the middle dropping from the forehead and the others hanging around ears.

And in other Miao areas, a silver hood features three different layers. There are 29 round silver flowers which make up the highest layer. The middle layer features a round glass in the center, and 14 warriors riding horses stand on each side. The lowest layer is fringes.

Silver hairpins

Miao silver hairpins always feature flowers, birds, and butterflies. The most attractive patterns feature 10 silver flowers laid out just like a Chinese fan. Beautiful beads sparkle in the flowers, with five silver phoenixes fluttering around.

Some hairpins look like chopsticks decorated with silver bells or long tassels.

Silver combs

Miao women use a silver comb to decorate their hair. The wooden comb has a layer of silver slices covered on its surface. On the surface of a comb you can see the image of a Bodhisattva, or beautiful patterns of flowers, dragons, and birds. Some combs sport big silver chains dropping down.

Silver earrings

Intricate Miao unique silver jewelry is often shaped like flowers, birds, butterflies, dragons, or plants. Miao women usually wear 3 or 4 pieces of silver earrings at one time. A single silver earring can weigh 200 grams, and reach all the way down to their shoulders. But there are many small earrings which feature thin, almost invisible twisted threads.

Silver neckbands

Wide silver neckbands are similar to necklaces in the West, but they are rigid and have many pendants hanging down from them. In different Miao areas, the neckbands vary a lot.A dragon silver neckband has the image of two dragons playing with a ball and about ten various ornaments falling from it. Another kind of neckband has 14 silver rings linked tightly together, while silver birds or butterflies hang down from each ring.

Silver bracelets

The Miao silver bracelets are engraved with the images of flowers, fish, or dragons. Some bracelets feature wide bands which is like the cuffs worn by warriors in ancient times. Miao women usually wear 4 or 5 pairs of silver bracelets at one time, sometimes more during festivals or holidays.

Silver rings

A Miao silver ring is usually quite small and has fine pieces of silver bent and shaped into flowers, birds, or plants. Some Miao women have rings on their eight fingers, only with their thumbs free. Some rings reach half the length of their fingers.

Silver garments

Tiny silver slices or threads are commonly woven into the fabric of Miao clothing. There are more than 40 silver pieces in round or square shape that can be used.  When put on the front and back of a silver garment, the clothing gleams bright and catches the light when the Miao walk.

Beautiful patterns like butterflies, flowers, phoenix, and lions are engraved on each piece.

Also, sometimes as many as 60 silver bells can hang from the garments, which make beautiful sounds and add to the overall look.

Silver waistbands

A silver waistband features hundreds of silver images of Bodhisattvas sewn on a piece of cloth. The Miao like to wear it around their waist, and when they walk or dance, the images shake and shine beautifully.

Silver anklet

Last but not least are small but sturdy silver anklets that clasp above the foot. Miao children wear silver anklets to ward off evil spirits.

 

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