Posted 8 years ago
Alan2310
(915 items)
Hello Followers, Visitors, Members and Friends from Collectors Weekly, 16-03-2017, 12:30 AM
I add another piece to my small Siam jewelry collection today, all of them (3) are found at the same thrift store, 1 Bracelet, 1 Ring and this nice brooch shape like a heart, I post the others 2 few month ago, this is in perfect condition, stamp on the back "Sterling" & "Siam".
This brooch depicted 2 mythological characters, most commonly seeing on Siam jewellery " Mekkala" & " Ramasoon"
This Brooch is 2 inch high by 1.75 inch wide.
Many Thanks Everyone for Viewing.
Alan
--------An introduction to Siam Silver jewellery – what exactly is it?----------
If you’ve ever come across big black enameled jewellery depicting dancing figures, then it might be a piece of Siam Silver jewellery. These stunning creations were hand made in Siam (now called Thailand), and the figures, buildings or animals created in the jewellery usually depict characters and scenes from Buddhist and Hindu tales and religious text. The country of Siam changed its name to Thailand in 1939, changing it back to Siam in 1945, and then was finally renamed Thailand in 1949. The above photo shows a typical “Mekkalah, Goddess of Lightening” Siam Silver vintage niello brooch. Jewellery is usually stamped ‘Made in Siam‘ on the back, though later pieces were could be stamped either ‘Siam’ and ‘Thailand’.
Most Siam jewellery you find is made from some grade of silver (often 925 sterling), with black ‘enamel ‘ style detail. The black and silver jewellery is called Siam Silver nielloware, after the black enamel style technique called niello used in its creation. Occasionally you may see fabulous coloured Siam Silver, with green, blue, red and white enameling instead of black niellowork
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The main characters you will see in Siam Silver jewellery are Mekkala, The Goddess of Lightening, and Ramasoon, the Thunder God. I read on a Thailand holiday forum, that they are from a mythological tale told to many Thailand children about the origins of thunder and lightening (and not from the Ramayana, as is sometimes suggested):
Ramasoon fell in love with the beautiful Mekkala, but she didn’t love him back. In a jealous rage, he threw his axe at her so he could injure and capture her, but Mekkala was able to defend herself with her famous magical crystal ball. As the axe struck this ball, it created a massive flash of light. This was the first ever lightening. Defeated, Ramasoon created darkness and rain so he could retreat undercover. He still waits for Mekkala to this day. When he sees her, Ramasoon once again throws his axe to injure and capture her, though is always thwarted by the crystal ball that defends Mekkala and flashes brightly as the axe hits it.
Different and lovely shape this one.
thank you for the useful info!
Great post!
I have a matching bracelet I acquired several years back and at that time I researched the characters but have long since forgotten the story.
Thank you for the great history on Siam jewelry.
Love it!
Karen, THANK YOU, for sure lovely shape and unusual size, very nice addition to this small Siam collection.
Appreciated your comment and the love too, many thanks for stopping by, my friend.
Regards
Alan
lentilka11, THANK YOU, you are more than welcome, my pleasure, i love to share some info, and in addition, i learn a lot myself, i did't know about Siam before till I discover my first piece, fews month ago.
Many thanks to stop often on my post, your comment is deeply appreciated, and the love too.
Regards
Alan
Karenoke, THANK YOU, hey you very welcome, I love it too, my passion to share never fade, always growing...LOL
Many thanks to be such a supporter on my post, deeply appreciated that you stop often, your comment is alway's appreciated.
Regards
Alan
THANK YOU, kivatinitz, Tigra, Lamplover78, aura, Efesgirl, Karenoke, lentilka11, nutsabotas6, valentino97, pebble, mike, kyratango, bijoucaillouvintage, Karen, TassieDevil, Hel1, Roy, kevin, to all of you for the love, many thanks also for your constant support, kindly appreciated.
Regards
Alan
Thank you for sharing the information that you learned. I was at a flee market about 15 years ago (I was about 20) and I fell in love with one of the flip/reversible rings from Siam. It's been one of my most treasured possessions since. I now know who the figures on the ring are & it has even more meaning. :)
Thank you for sharing the useful information about Siam Silver Jewelry..I also came across a couple of such jewelry pieces