HAIRPIN SILVER LAOS

From Northern Laos, this exceptional antique silver hairpins are made by the Hmong in the mountains of northern Laos. The hairpin features beautiful filigree decoration in traditional Hmong motifs. The hairpin is hollow and it is said that in times past, Hmong women would keep a little opium stored in the hairpin. The Hmong can no longer rely on the cultivation of opium poppies to finance their love of silver and ornamentation and we’ve been told that skilled Hmong silversmiths are a thing of the past, and the vast majority of antique Hmong silver has already been traded for cash in the cities. In excellent and original condition .