Ear Flares

200-1500
Unknown Artist (Mesoamerican)

Object Type	Marsden Hartley Memorial Collection
Dimensions	7 1/4 x 1 1/2 in. (18.42 x 3.81 cm)
Medium	Greenstone
Credit Line	Bates College Museum of Art, Marsden Hartley Memorial Collection, Gift of the Marsden Hartley Estate, 1951.2.30
Accession Number	1951.2.30

Earflares of this shape have been found throughout Mesoamerica, but are particularly associated with Central Mexico (West Mexico to the Gulf Coast regions). Central Mexican earflares often are distinguished by a wide flare (the front of the adornment) at right angles to a short insert shaft which may be narrow (as seen here). Mottled greenstone is particularly associated with lapidary art from West Mexico, especially Guerrero. Compare with the earflares illustrated in Handbook of Middle American Indians, vol. 3, part 2:897-898; also see the earflares from Guerrero at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (https://www.metmuseum.org) and those Los Angeles County Museum of Art (https://www.lacma.org) (M.71.73.325 from Guerrero, M.86.311.40 from Chiapas or Guatemala).