Earspool Item Number: Aj119 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Masai ear plug carved from light weight and light yellow wood. Stained brown. Legs and some of body has round conical-shaped body which has been incised with burned lines running vertically and horizontally, forming squares. Two legs carved on each side both have a hole pierced on the bottom of the foot. Top has red, green, orange, white, and blue beads pressed into the surface.

History Of Use

Body adornments symbolize cultural, social, and economic divisions, for women and men. This particular piece may have been made for sale.

Cultural Context

physical ornament; decoration