Neck Jewelry Card Game. Women with intense jewelry on necks & legs playing cards. Postcard Published by Art Unlimited, Amsterdam.
Earrings. Looks like neck jewelry designed to lengthen the neck. Body modification.
This postcard presents a black and white photograph featuring three individuals, likely women, from the Kayan or Padaung tribe, known for their distinctive use of brass neck coils. The individuals are seated closely together, engaging in what appears to be a calm and intimate moment.The person in the middle holds a traditional fan close to their face, partly obscuring it, and wearing a t-shirt that strikingly contrasts with their traditional attire. To their right is another individual who is attentively dealing cards, possibly engaged in a game or a teaching moment with the others. The woman on the far left holds the fan given to her and appears to be watching the card handling intensely, suggesting a moment of leisure and cultural exchange.The traditional brass neck rings worn by the women are notable; these coils are worn by the women of the tribe from a young age and are thought to elongate the neck. Each woman also wears stripes of fabric wrapped around their arms, extending from just below the shoulder to the wrist. Their heads are adorned with what seem to be white, turban-like headgear with decoration or embroidery, adding to the cultural richness of their attire. The setting itself is understated with a plain backdrop that ensures the focus remains on the subjects. The lighting of the photograph highlights their metallic rings and facial expressions, enhancing the textural details of the scene.Overall, the postcard captures a serene yet engaging moment among these women, juxtaposing traditional elements with a hint of modern influence, possibly suggesting the blending or preservation of culture in changing times.