This neck ring represents a fraction of the wide repertoire of silver jewellery made, worn and exchanged by highland communities in northern Thailand. Large neck rings were worn in tiered sets or with a chain and pendant known as a ‘soul lock'. This flat plain neck ring was worn mainly by Akha women.Silver was valued more highly than gold by many highland communities. Silver jewellery was a way of investing a family’s wealth to be passed down as heirlooms. It was also believed to have protective properties. Today, where security maybe a problem, silver is kept locked away while aluminium is used as a substitute.Originally, highlanders from China, the Akha people have recently begun to move southwards into mainland Southeast Asia.
