Pair of Earflare Frontals

Creator Name

Unknown

Cultural Context

Mesoamerican

Date

Creation: 3rd century, 4th century, 5th century, 6th century, Mesoamerican Classic period

Source

Metropolitan Museum of Art

About the Work

Curationist Object Description

Ear stretching is an ancient form of body modification. Jewelry or plugs are inserted into piercings, increasing in size over time. In Mesoamerica, ear spools were worn by men and women. The Náhuatl word for the ornaments is "nacochtli." Nacochtlis are made from metal, stone, leather, bone, or wood. They were a marker of social status, military rank, or divinity, and were notably worn by midwives. Jade is a symbol of fertility and the floral motif on this pair of gauges reinforces the stone's fecund and life-like qualities.

Metropolitan Museum of Art Object Description

Earflare frontals

Work details

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Title

Pair of Earflare Frontals

Creator

Unknown

Worktype

Jewelry; Earring; Plug (earring)

Stone-Ornaments

Cultural Context

Mesoamerican

Maya

Material

Overall: Stone

Jade (jadeite)

Dimensions

a: H. 1 7/8 × W. 1 7/8 × D. 5/8 in. (4.8 × 4.8 × 1.6 cm) b: H. 1 7/8 x W. 1 7/8 x D. 3/8 in. (4.8 x 4.8 x 1.5 cm);
depth: 0.9525019centimetre;
height: 4.7625093centimetre;
width: 4.7625093centimetre

Technique

Sculpting; Carving

Language

Date

Creation: 3rd century, 4th century, 5th century, 6th century, Mesoamerican Classic period

3rd–6th century

Provenance

Gift of Arthur M. Bullowa, 1989

Style Period

Rights

Public Domain

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