Skip to main content
Neck Ring with Twisted Bands, 20th Century
Miao culture; Guizhou Province, China
Copper, zinc…
Neck Ring
Neck Ring with Twisted Bands, 20th Century
Miao culture; Guizhou Province, China
Copper, zinc…
Neck Ring with Twisted Bands, 20th Century Miao culture; Guizhou Province, China Copper, zinc and silver; 7 × 6 7/8 in. 2015.26.90 Anonymous Gift

Neck Ring

ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-neck ornaments
Culture Miao
Date20th Century
Made AtGuizhou Province, China, Asia
MediumCopper, zinc and silver
Dimensions7 × 6 7/8 in. (17.8 × 17.5 cm)
Credit LineAnonymous Gift
Object number2015.26.90
DescriptionThis object is a silver neck ring from the Miao people residing in China’s Guizhou Province. Most silver would have been reserved for festival or celebratory wear, most often by unmarried women.

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
Braided Neck Ring, 20th Century
Miao culture; Guizhou Province, China
Copper, zinc and silver…
Miao
20th Century
Necklace with Large Coils and Globe Design, 20th Century
Miao culture; Southeast Guizhou Provi…
Miao
20th Century
Neck Ring with Leaf Clasp, 20th Century
Miao culture; Guizhou Province
Silver; 8 1/2 × 8 5/8 …
Miao
20th Century
Neck Ring with Twisted Bands, 20th Century
Miao culture; Guizhou Province, China
Silver; 6 3/…
Miao
20th Century
Finely Wound Wire Necklace, 20th Century
Miao culture; Kaili County, Southeast Guizhou Provinc…
Miao
20th Century
Necklace Set with Incised Dragon, Phoenix and Floral Motifs, 20th Century
Miao culture; Gejia …
Miao
20th Century
Pair of Twisted Neck Rings, 20th Century
Miao culture; Guizhou Province, China
Silver; 8 1/2 …
Miao
20th Century
Necklace with Hanging Pendants, 20th Century
Ge Jia Miao culture; Southeast Guizhou Province, …
Ge Jia
20th Century
Hollow Ring Necklace, 20th Century
Hmong culture; Thailand, Myanmar or Laos
Silver; 10 x 2 x …
Miao
20th Century
Tiered Necklace with Raised Spiral Coils, 20th Century
Miao culture; Sanjiang County, North Gu…
Miao
20th Century
Neck Ring with Dragon Clasp, 20th Century
Miao culture; Guizhou Province, China
Silver; 11 × …
Miao
20th Century
Finely Wound Wire Necklace, 20th Century
Miao culture; Guizhou Province, China
Silver; 11 × 1…
Miao
20th Century