Cleveland Museum of Art

Ear Flare

Date

900–1470

Medium

hammered gold alloy

Culture

Peru, North Coast, Chimú style (900-1470)

Department

Art of the Americas

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

North Coast ear ornaments typically have a long shaft that balanced the weight of the glorious frontal. This pair illustrates Chimú interest in the sea, which had great economic and religious importance. On the shafts are bands of seabirds and waves, and a similar pattern edges the frontals, which were altered in modern times. Originally solid disks, the frontals' centers were cut out and a dotted band was added to the rim.

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