The Siam Sterling Nielloware Site - all you wanted to know about Siam sterling

These silver and black Thai pieces were popular in the 1950s through '70s, and were produced by a variety of jewelry shops. It is technically "Niello" or "Nielloware", created by carving out areas of the silver, and baking a sulfur/metals powder in the carved out areas. The design often displays Mekkala, the Goddess of Lightning, and represents the Buddhist and Hindu Indian legend, Ramayama (and its Thai counterpart, Ramakien), about a prince, his wife, his parents (King and Queen of Siam), and an evil king. This jewelry was often sent to American wives/girlfriends from their soldier-husbands/boyfriends on leave from fighting in Viet Nam, or stationed in Thailand during the Viet Nam war.

The dramatic designs used in ornamental Siamese jewellery are varied and unique. Most of the figures represent ancient mythological charactors from the epic of Ramayana. This story was based on the Indian ancient story as far back as thousand years before Buddihst's Event. Some of the most common figures which are found on almost all pieces of Niellowares are Mekala, The Goddess of Lighting, Ramasoon, The God of Thunder and more.