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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;AuDragon, post: 393206, member: 6974&quot;]Hi DeAnne,</p><p>Chiang Mai is the largest city in the mountains of Northern Thailand and 3rd or 4th largest in Thailand. It is the second most popular tourist city behind Bangkok, and my favourite place in Thailand combining history, culture, national parks, great food and charming people.&nbsp; Founded in the 13th century it has a fascinating history and rich culture and many original temples and buildings remain from that period. The moat of the original fortified city also remains.&nbsp; There are several streets dedicated to the art of silverwork, and it is one of the popular (and valuable) gifts sought by visitors.</p><p><br /></p><p>In the centre of Chiang Mai is a temple (Wat Sri Suphan) completely covered in silver and quite spectacular.</p><p><br /></p><p>Traditional Thai clothing features loose garments but worn in layers and held together with belts, sashes and ties. Both men and women wear this type of traditional clothing which is often rich with gold and silver thread. The Northern Hilltribes use lots of silver in their head-dresses, necklaces and clothes.</p><p><br /></p><p>Your brooch appears of good quality and the filigree of fine workmanship. The two buckles would allow the item to be used either as a chest brooch for the ladies (with the pin) or as a waist belt for the men (the clamp). You can see the way these are used in the images below.</p><p><br /></p><p>I also attached an image of the much-adored previous King and Queen (now Queen Mother) to show royal uses for these types of brooches.</p><p><br /></p><p>[ATTACH=full]136497[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]136498[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]136499[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]136500[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]136503[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]136504[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]136505[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]136506[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]136507[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]136508[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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