▶ JEWELLER SPOTLIGHT: THAM MUE

New to the Gallery is a range by contemporary Thai jeweller Tham Mue, who infuses traditional techniques into her practice. Working with a group of local women from a regional area outside of Chiang Rai, Mue creates pieces that harmoniously imbue a sense of the old and new. The silver elements to her work are based on the Karen people’s use of predominately pure silver with a tiny bit of copper, to create a satin finish. Mue’s collection of antique semi-precious stones and shells are a dominant feature of this range, adding colour and character.

Frosty antique beads are paired with chunks of silver in unique arrangements. The old amethyst, jade, agate and glass incorporated into part of this range are matte in their finish, complementing the delicate sheen of the silver. As an alternative to the cool colours of these stones, there are also the warm earthy colours of the antique shell and carnelian bead pieces. The handmade quality of each piece is incorporated into the design, with their asymmetrical patterns and some of the silver beads having an organic, hand-pressed finish. Also in the collection are a few finer pieces of silver jewellery, again possessing the mild-lustred finish that is soft and feminine in its effect.