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• Red Snake
Vertebrae Pattern Glass Bohemian Beads, Circa 1890s (Origin:
Bohemia; Collected: Africa)
• Handcrafted Sterling Silver “Spirit Lock” from the Hmong
People in Laos (Origin: Laos; Collected: Vietnam)
• Handcrafted Silver Bicone Beads (Origin: Ethiopia;
Collected: Africa)
• Sterling Silver Findings
• Finished with Silver French Bullion
• Length: 19”
N0811-115
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SILVER SPIRIT LOCK
BY THE HMONG PEOPLE: In ancient times, the Hmong (Mong)
people are believed to be descendants from Mongolia and
eventually settled in China. However, the Hmong strongly
believe in “freedom and democracy.” Sometime in the
mid-19th century, thousands of Hmong families, relying on
kinship bonds and a passion for independence, fled the
oppression of China and trekked south across rugged
mountains to make new homes in Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.
They fought against the Vietnamese with the U.S. as they
sought their freedom from any governments. The handcrafted
Spirit Locks were worn by the Hmong in their “soul
calling” ceremonies to “lock “ the soul of the wearer into
his/her body. They are worn by children, women and men all
of their lives. The Spirit Lock is also worn when someone
is feeling ill at ease or is lacking in direction or
motivation and gives aid and protection, Circa mid-20th
Century (Origin: Laos; Collected: Vietnman).
BOHEMIAN GLASS SNAKE PATTERN BEADS: Many Bohemian chevron-shaped
(snake) glass beads were made in a molding method. These
interlocking beads were probably made by the Prosser technique which
is a special type of molding. Brothers Richard and Thomas Prosser
invented a machine in 1840 to accomplish an almost seamless and
precise mold. The machine subjects a pellet of clay mixed with other
ingredients to pressure in a die. Then they are fired and the
finished beads are quite exact in form. Prosser beads will have
seams but they are hard to spot and on the interlocking beads, the
seams are along one edge. These red snake beads are Circa early
1900s (Origin: Bohemian Europe; Collected: Africa).
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