* This product was last updated on 30 January 2009

Sterling Silver Evening Bag

Shop: Natural Collection

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This Exquisite 100% Sterling Silver Evening Bag is the kind of gift suitable for the royalty of ancient palaces! Using their traditional skills passed down through generations, the hill tribes of Northern Thailand have effectively hand-woven these quite extraordinary sterling silver evening bags. The flat threads of silver create a stunning basket effect and like a traditional hill tribe basket the lid opens by sliding up and down the chain. The corners are beautifully finished with 'cones' of silver wire and even the chain is finished with little ornate looped ends. Big enough to hold the evening essentials, but small enough to add stunning discreet elegance to evening wear. Comes beautifully presented in its own gorgeous handmade gift box. Due to the handmade nature of this product, slight variations in size and texture may occur. (H15cm, W13cm, D3.5cm, Strap Length 84 + 24cm) One of the most heart-warming stories that we have come across recently is the incredible work carried out by an amazing development foundation in Northern Thailand. Over many years of hardship and poverty the hill tribes of the Northern triangle region of Thailand had resorted to cutting down the rain forests to clear land to grow opium and, as their only form of income, the whole culture of these ancient peoples was degenerating into drug addiction, crime and prostitution. Under Thai Royal patronage the foundation has created ways to halt deforestation and create alternative income and also provide realistic opportunities to preserve the hill tribes' culture and traditions. By concentrating on developing their traditional ancient skills and by introducing sustainable alternative crops, such as coffee and nuts, a wonderful transformation has taken place. Highland agricultural projects have replaced the cultivation of opium as an economic crop and as a result of the reforestation programme, forest cover has significantly increased. The village communities have managed to achieve a level of sustainable development such that it now fosters the harmonious co-existence of indigenous culture and the surrounding natural environment. The success of this project demonstrates that the issue is not about drugs, it is about poverty and the basic need to survive. Survival and brinkmanship is the reality for almost one third of the world's population; problems like the opium trade can be addressed with the support of the international community and viable economic alternatives. Lessons from this incredible success story are being studied internationally. It is now regarded by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) as one of the world's most successful projects in sustainable alternative development. Through information sharing programmes, advice and consultation, neighbouring regions are benefiting and even delegates from projects in Afghanistan have found much that can be transferred, adopted and adapted to assist the huge opium growing problems in that region. These exquisite bags are just a small example of how these skills have been adapted to create lasting and classic designs for a contemporary market.

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