Skip to main content
Clothing Ornament, 20th Century
probably Zhuang culture; Yunnan Province, China
Silver; 4 × 4…
Clothing Ornament
Clothing Ornament, 20th Century
probably Zhuang culture; Yunnan Province, China
Silver; 4 × 4…
Clothing Ornament, 20th Century probably Zhuang culture; Yunnan Province, China Silver; 4 × 4 13/16 in. 2015.26.39 Anonymous Gift

Clothing Ornament

ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-clothing ornaments
Culture Zhuang
Date20th Century
Made AtGuizhou Province, China, Asia
Made AtYunnan Province, China, Asia
Made AtGuangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, Asia
MediumSilver
Dimensions4 × 4 13/16 in. (10.2 × 12.2 cm)
Credit LineAnonymous Gift
Object number2015.26.39
DescriptionThis object is a silver clothing ornament from the Zhuang people residing primarily in China’s Yunnan Province. Most silver would have been reserved for festival or celebratory wear, most often by unmarried women. This item in particular would have been sewn on to an elaborately embroidered jacket to add even more embellishment. The dragon pattern it depicts is a common design among the Zhuang people.

Traditionally, silver was worn to ward off evil, with silver’s bright sheen symbolizing light. Over time as it became more culturally pervasive it came to be used as a show of wealth and health for families who could afford to wear the precious metal.

Adolescent girls could wear as much as 10 kilograms of silver. When women marry the silver serves as a dowry and is eventually redistributed to their own children. Silversmithing on the other hand is exclusively performed by men and taught from father to son.
On View
On view
Clothing Ornament, 20th Century
probably Zhuang culture; Yunnan Province, China
Silver; 5 × 5…
Zhuang
20th Century
Clothing Ornament, 20th Century
probably Zhuang culture; Yunnan Province, China
Silver; 5 1/8…
Zhuang
20th Century
Clothing Ornament, 19th to 20th Century
probably Zhuang culture; Yunnan Province, China
Silve…
Zhuang
19th to 20th Century
Clothing Ornament, 20th Century
Miao culture; Guizhou Province, China
Silver; 4 1/2 × 3 5/8 ×…
Miao
20th Century
Clothing Ornament, 20th Century
Miao culture; Guizhou Province, China
Silver; 6 3/8 × 3 5/8 ×…
Miao
20th Century
Jacket with Metal Embellishment, mid to late 20th Century
Zhuang culture; probably Yunnan Prov…
Zhuang
mid to late 20th Century
Pleated Skirt, mid to late 20th Century
Zhuang culture; probably Yunnan Province, China
Cotto…
Zhuang
mid to late 20th Century
Wedding Blanket, 19th to 20th Century
Zhuang culture; Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region or Yunn…
Zhuang
19th to 20th Century
Chain, 20th Century
Miao culture; Guizhou Province, China
Silver; 8 15/16 × 3 7/16 × 1/4 in.
…
Miao
20th Century
Chain, 20th Century
Miao culture; Guizhou Province, China
Silver; 3 1/4 × 4 3/16 × 2 3/4 in
…
Miao
20th Century
Coiled Earrings, 20th Century
Miao culture; Guizhou Province, China
Silver; 2 3/4 x 1 1/4 x 3…
Miao
20th Century
Earring, 20th Century
Miao culture; probably Guizhou Province, China
Silver; 2 1/4 × 2 1/4 in…
Miao
20th Century