MSI023

ANTIQUE SINGLE BRONZE PALAUNG (SHAN STATE–BURMA) EAR PLUGS WITH PINK FACETED GLASS OR POSSIBLE SPINEL SETTINGS

RARE AND WELL-PRESERVED EXAMPLES OF TRADITIONAL PALAUNG TRIBAL EAR PLUGS FROM SHAN STATE, BURMA, DATING TO THE EARLY–MID 20TH CENTURY. THESE HAND-FABRICATED PIECES ARE CRAFTED FROM BRONZE WITH A SPRING-OPENING BASE AND FEATURE DELICATE PINK FACETED GLASS OR POSSIBLE SPINEL SETTINGS. THE DESIGN REFLECTS A HISTORICAL BURMESE PRACTICE OF USING COLORED GLASS TO IMITATE PRECIOUS GEMS SUCH AS SPINEL, WIDELY MINED IN THE REGION.

THIS PLUG REPRESENT THE PALAUNG PEOPLE’S DISTINCTIVE METALWORK TRADITION — BLENDING FUNCTIONAL FORM, STATUS SYMBOLISM, AND AESTHETIC DETAIL. LIGHTWEIGHT YET DURABLE, THEY RETAIN A RICH AGED PATINA AND ARE FULLY INTACT, MAKING THEM BOTH WEARABLE AND HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE AS AUTHENTIC EXAMPLES OF HIGHLAND BURMESE JEWELRY.

WEIGHT: 1.57 GRAM
MEASUREMENTS: LENGTH 15 MM | WIDTH 8 MM
EARLOBE HOLE: 4 MM (HAS SCREW OPENING ON THE BACK)
MATERIAL: BRONZE WITH PINK FACETED GLASS OR POSSIBLE SPINEL (UNTESTED)
ORIGIN: PALAUNG PEOPLE – SHAN STATE, BURMA (MYANMAR)
PERIOD: EARLY TO MID-20TH CENTURY
CONDITION: VERY GOOD FOR ITS AGE – FULLY INTACT AND WEARABLE (SEE IMAGES)
COLLECTIBLE – WEARABLE – AUTHENTIC TRIBAL ART

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