China’s largest silver lock of the Miao ethnic group was debuted at Leishan county in Guizhou province’s Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous region on July 16, to mark the 60th anniversary of the prefecture’s foundation. The lock measures in at 3 meters by 2 meters, and is made from as much as 89 kilograms of silver worth 620,000 yuan ($ 103,302). The forge work took Gu Yongchong, an inheritor of silverware-making skills, and his 20 apprentices’ five months to finish.

“The blueprint of the silver lock is deeply engraved on our minds, and all the patterns on it are made by hand,” said Gu.

Silver ornaments play an important role in Miao culture and people like to wear the precious metal from head to toe. Silver locks are believed to bring about longevity, wealth, safety and health to wearer.

China’s biggest silver lock is put on display in Guizhou’s Leishan county. [Photo/gywb.cn]