Antique Silver Heart Box/Locket, Dragon & Kilin, from Hmong in Northern Vietnam

Description

Lovely Antique - Silver Heart Box/Locket from Hmong Tribe in Northern Vietnam, 19th Century A.D.
The item is high quality, made by skillful silversmith, with auspicious characters: Dragon on front and back, Qilin on one side, Lotus on the other side, and Bat as the hook between the box and the short silver string (this short silver string then attaches to the decorative belt or the necklace).    Dragon and Qilin are mythical power creatures associated with East Asia Kings and Gods.   Lotus means for wisdom.    Bat means for fertile soil and agricultural success.   This item really has good meanings.
In the old days, Hmong people used the locket like this as jewelry and as container to store betel nut (and may be opium!).    This particular locket is more decorative and bigger than most other ones, so it might belong to important persons in the tribe and might be used for ceremonial purpose.    This item is quite rare to find nowadays.
The item is in good original condition.
This is a very unique and cultural jewelry item.
Reference Book: Jewelry of Southeast Asia by Ann Richter (can purchase at Amazon).