Pair of earflares

Unknown

13th–15th century · Silver, stone, shell · Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

These two ear ornaments are drum-shaped with slightly incurved sides and contain clappers for creating sound. The frontals are inlaid with turquoise and shell forming a mosaic image of an animal figure in profile in the center with a serrated tail and crescent headdress. The animal is surrounded by alternating shell and turquoise step motifs. The reverse side shows the same zoomorphic creature with bared teeth in a roundel incised into the sheet silver on a finely stippled background.

Artist

Unknown

Date

13th–15th century

Medium

Silver, stone, shell

Culture

Chincha or Ica (?)

Department

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Credit line

Gift of Lucille and Martin E. Kantor, 2018