DIA70xH70mm, China
This fine silver bracelet was one from the Miao tribe in China, the size of a cuff of a shirt, reminiscent of part of the armor. They are worn in pairs and would be up to 4 pairs at the same time. Different branches of the Miao tribe have their individual bracelet which all the women would be wearing.
DIA210mm, China
For the Something Old Something New jewellery collection, there is of course something old. This is an original long life locket, this locket, being 30omm in length would be too long for any baby to hang around the neck, it would have been hanged in the bedroom of the child which is a tradition of the Jiang Su area. Such locket would be a gift from the god parents. For the history of long life locket, check out our previous post locket.
If you look closely in the enlarged photo, you can see the kirin boy decorated on the locket.
This item was sold just as soon as we hang it up, but its such a nice item, I decided to include in the blog nonetheless.
DIA220mm, Hong Kong
These cubical boxes were the ornamental bells that were attached to the long life lockets, they were the traditional version of the baby monitor. When the bells are making a sound the baby is alright, its moving and has not wandered off. This new composition for the Mountain Folkcraft Something Old Something New jewellery collection, somehow has a reminded me of John Hejduk’s architecture.
DIA180(L280mm), Hong Kong
For the celebration of the arrival of 2013, the Something Old Something New jewellery collection brings you the lucky blessing of the kirin boy. The kirin, a mystical creature which the Chinese believe to have magical power, it also took on the role of the stork for delivery babies. This role was attributed to the kirin from the legend of Confucius at the time before he was born; one night a kirin with a scroll in his mouth appeared in front of his parents’ house, the scroll, an announcement from heaven, has the words “he will be a wise man with good morality, though he does not have a throne, he has the virtue of a king”. The next morning, the kirin disappeared and Confucius was born, sine then the kirin is associated with delivering babies with talents. The kirin boy pendent, like the long life locket is a special blessing for the child wearing it.
Here is the “making off”, featuring an antique kirin boy silver pendent.
DIA165mm, Hong Kong
To keep everyone safe for the rumor of today being the end of the world, we have an old long life lockets for tonight’s post.
Long life lockets are normally given to a baby on its 100th day’s birthday by the grandmother as a blessing for the child. In old China when mortality rate is high, the locket is a symbol of locking the child’s life to this world. There are 4 words on this locket, “13 Tai Bao”, Tai Bao is a high level court official whose duty is to care and guide the emperor. Legend has it Guang Hui Wang has 13 sons who are on earth to care and guide humanity. The 13 Tai Bao is so well known for their protection that even a famous herbal tea for securing pregnancy is named after them.
See our other references of the long life lockets; Silver Necklace, Clay Doll – A Fu, Du Dou Embroidery, Locket.
DIA165mm, Hong Kong
The number 3, though not a number found on the human body is a number of many famous triads. Man, Woman and Child; Birth, Life and Death; Beauty, Gentleness and Friendship and of course, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
DIA160mm, Hong Kong
For the Mountain Folkcraft Something Old Something New Jewellery Collection, we have designed a series of unique neckwear and here is one of them.
Its ingredients are;
turquoise,
silver,
glass beads,
amber,
coral,
jade,
& lots of passion in design.
DIA180mm, China
Today we have something more traditional, part of the Dong tribe consume, a triple ring silver neckwear. Together with the silver head wear, they are the most important part of their costume, passing down from generations. There are many style for the neck ring, we found this particular one to be very modern and bold.
DIA70mm, China
This silver bracelet has a very simplistic design, a band of silver held at the end by a small opening and a bolt.
This item selected by Furze for the Something Old Something New exhibition and is available at both Mountain Folkcraft and Soil.
DIA20xH40mm, Thailand
This miniature silver kettle was selected by Furze for the Something Old Something New exhibition and is available at both Mountain Folkcraft and Soil.
Since we have the kettle on, I will share with you a Thai Iced Tea (Cha Yen) recipe.
INGREDIENTS
Mountain Folkcraft 