The Jewelry of Southeast Asia

Book excerpt: “Centuries of gems, precious metals, and rare materials . . . color photographs reveal the true artistry of our Eastern neighbors.”—Booklist From the magnificent royal gold jewelry of Burma and Thailand to the simple adornments worn by remote hill peoples, Anne Richter explores the complex cultural landscape of what are now Burma, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines. Necklaces, buckles, pendants, belts, buttons, ear ornaments, hairpins, anklets, torques, and bracelets are presented in a superb array of images. Richter’s understanding of the underlying symbolism sheds light on Asian cultures, while the aesthetic appeal of the items will make this volume irresistible to all jewelry lovers. This new edition in paperback of the book first published in 2000 concentrates on the color plates and their illuminating captions. A new introduction discusses how the historical background has influenced the jewelry.