Stories

Earlobes, are one of the most frequently adorned areas of the human anatomy.

As with so many innovations and traditions, this appears to have originated in the ancient Orient. 

Kings and Queens, Princesses, Princes, men, women and children have pushed metal through their ear lobes to decorate their faces throughout history. 

From The royal graves of Ur, we have discovered Sumerian woman from 2500 BC with simple gold crescent motif earrings.

In ancient Egypt, where jewels were important to costume, earrings were worn by men, woman and children.

X-ray photographs from the Cairo museum show deformed earlobes from the sheer weight of ear decoration.

Ancient Greece also produced many different and pleasing forms.

Disc earrings made of glass paste decorated with birds, sirens, winged creatures.

The dove was particularly favoured because of its association with Aphrodite.

Eros, symbol of both death and love is a common motif in Hellenic jewellery.

Etruscan earrings dating from 625 BC display the wealth style and exuberance of the period.

Popular symbols (that continue to this day) include the tubular hoop with the head of a woman, the two handled urn, inverted pyramids, birds, bells and amphora and heads of indigenous people.

In Ancient Rome, earrings were the favourite manner of displaying ones wealth.

Pliny the elder (my favourite source for all things ancient and wonderful tells that Caligula’s wife Paulina wore emeralds and pearls on her head, hair, arms and fingers as well as her ears at everyday events.

“Women , he said liked to wear earrings with two or three pearl drops that rattled at the slightest movement of the head “...hence the name crotalia...

Love, Kirsten