From the magnificent royal gold jewelry of Burma and Thailand to the simple adornments worn by remote hill peoples, Anne Richter visually explores the complex cultural landscape of what is now Myanmar, 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. Her understanding of the symbolism sheds light on Asian cultures, while the aesthetic appeal of the items will make this volume irresistible to all jewelry lovers. To make it more accessible, this new paperback edition of the book first published in 2000 concentrates on the colour plates with their illuminating captions, and in a new introduction Anne Richter shows how the historical background has influenced the jewelry.