Ear Ornament

18005C

From: Marquesas Islands

Curatorial Section: Oceanian

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Native Name Arke-ketua
Object Number 18005C
Current Location Collections Storage
Provenience Marquesas Islands
Section Oceanian
Materials Whale Ivory
Description

Carved walrus tusk earrings. Worn by men. The spur was passed through a hole in the lobe of the ear and projected behind. A small wooden plug, passed through the hole in the spur, held the ornament in place. Sometimes a band connecting the ornaments passed over the head to take the weight off the ear lobes. The material is chacalot ivory.

Length 9.7 cm
Width 7.3 cm
Credit Line Gift of William Pepper, 1891

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