MSI654

RARE PAIR OF ALUMINUM EAR PLUGS (TUNNELS) – BRE (B’RÊ) TRIBE
KARENNI STATE, EASTERN BURMA (MYANMAR) – MID 20TH CENTURY

A rare and ethnographically significant pair of traditional ear plugs (tunnels) attributed to the Bre (B’rê), a little-documented subgroup of the Karenni (Red Karen) people from the highlands of eastern Burma (Myanmar). These distinctive double-flare forms are consistent with examples documented in The Vanishing Tribes of Burma by Richard K. Diran, where Bre women are depicted wearing similar metal ear ornaments as part of their cultural identity.

Hand-formed from cast or repurposed aluminum—a material that became widely available in the region following the Second World War—these plugs reflect a transitional period in tribal craftsmanship, where traditional adornment practices adapted to newly accessible industrial materials.

The design is functional and minimalist, with pronounced double flares used to secure the piece within stretched earlobes. Beyond utility, such forms carried strong cultural meaning, symbolizing maturity, identity, and continuity of tribal tradition within daily and ritual contexts.

Authentic examples of Bre tribal jewelry are rarely encountered on the market, particularly outside of field documentation and ethnographic collections. This pair represents a scarce surviving artifact with both historical and anthropological value.

Material: Aluminum (cast or reused)
Tribe: Bre (B’rê), subgroup of Karenni (Red Karen)
Region: Karenni State – Eastern Burma (Myanmar) – Southeast Asia
Period: Mid 20th century (post-WWII era)

Weight: 13.08 grams (pair)
Dimensions: Approx. 30 mm ear saddle | 38 mm flare | 24 mm length

Condition: Very good for age – fully usable, with stable structure and natural aged patina. Ends are closed but not soldered or fused, consistent with traditional fabrication methods (see images).

Notes:
Historically important and rarely documented form of Southeast Asian tribal body jewelry.
Lightly cleaned to preserve detail while maintaining original patina

Reference:
The Vanishing Tribes of Burma – Richard K. Diran – p.135

Sold as a pair