Earflare
Possibly 500 BCE–1000 CE
Medium
Jadeite or serpentine
Dimensions
1.2 × 1.3 cm (7/16 × 1/2 in.)
Classification
ear ornament
Department
Arts of the Americas
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
5919
Art Historical Context
This exquisite **Earflare**, crafted from jadeite or serpentine,ails from the ancient cultures of the Americas, dating possibly between 500 BCE and 1000 CE. Measuring just 1.2 × 1.3 cm (7/16 × 1/2 in.), its petite scale belies its grandeur as a personal ornament designed to be worn in the earlobe. Such earflares were prestige items, signaling wealth and status among elite members of pre-Columbian, where body adornment played a key role in social hierarchy and ritual display. The choice of medium—jadeite, a rare and vividly green stone, or the similar serpentine—holds profound cultural weight....
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...