Stone Earflare
Unknown Artist
before 16th century
Medium
Stone
Dimensions
Height 2-3/16 in.
Classification
Stone-Ornaments
Culture
Mexican
Department
Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Arthur M. Bullowa, 1993
Accession Number
1994.35.474
Art Historical Context
This exquisite **Stone Earflare**, crafted by an unknown artist in pre-16th-century Mexico, exemplifies the masterful stone carving traditions of ancient Mesoamerican cultures. Standing at a modest height of 2-3/16 inches, this ornament was designed to be worn in the earlobe, expanding it dramatically as a bold statement of status and beauty. Made entirely of stone—a durable medium prized for its workability and symbolic permanence—the piece reflects the technical prowess of artisans who shaped raw materials into intricate personal adornments using simple tools like chisels and abrasives. In ...