Priests of a bygone era might have recognised the traditional lines found in Cambodia’s contemporary jewellery collections, but they wouldn’t recognise the materials used: many of today’s Cambodian jewellers incorporate metals of war including bullet casings, brass artillery shells and landmine shrapnel. Ammo uses blank cartridges that have been fired.

Chantha Thoeun, who was orphaned at eight years old when a Khmer Rouge soldier killed his father, learned jewellery making at an orphanage and managed to save enough to study graphic design. His brand Angkor Bullet Jewellery produces pieces using bullets and materials from neutralised bombs.

‘I use bullet casings and bomb shells as I want to showcase the plight of Khmer people and what they have had to endure in our recent past,’ says Chantha. ‘I believe it is a strong statement about my country and what the Khmer people can do, and expresses hope rising from tragic circumstances. We are turning something negative, used to kill millions of Khmer people, including my dad, into something of beauty, hope, strength and endurance. From war to peace.’