Silver artifacts date back to the Neolithic Age, with early humans hammering native silver into tools and ritual objects. During the Shang-Zhou dynasties, silver symbolized aristocratic status alongside jade, as recorded in Rites of Zhou for alloy crafting. Tang Dynasty silverware reached technical zenith, exemplified by gilded flasks from Hejiacun Hoard showcasing repoussé and chasing techniques. Ethnic groups like Miao and Tibetans later transformed silver into cultural icons, from ceremonial necklaces to religious implements.