MSI335

RARE PAIR OF TRADITIONAL KAREN TRIBAL WOODEN EAR PLUGS, HAND-CARVED FROM HARDWOOD, PRESERVED IN VERY GOOD CONDITION FOR THEIR AGE. THESE LONG TAPERED EAR PLUGS DISPLAY THE CLASSIC FLARED FRONT AND SLENDER SHAFT WITH CARVED PATTERNS ON THE RIMS, USED BY KAREN GROUPS IN THE HILLS OF NORTHERN THAILAND AND EASTERN BURMA. CRAFTED USING SIMPLE TRADITIONAL TOOLS, THEY REPRESENT AUTHENTIC HILLTRIBE BODY ADORNMENT FROM THE EARLY–MID 20TH CENTURY, POSSIBLY EARLIER.
THESE KIND OF PLUGS DESIGNS HISTORICALLY USED TO BE CARVED IN BONE AND IVORY ASWELL.

WEIGHT: 4.75 GRAM (PAIR)
MEASUREMENTS: L 72.5 MM | W 14 MM
EARLOBE HOLE SIZE: 12 MM
MATERIAL: HARDWOOD (LIKELY GOLDEN TEAK OR LOCAL DENSE WOOD – NOT TESTED)
AGE PERIOD: EARLY–MID 20TH CENTURY (POSSIBLE LATE 19TH CENTURY)
CULTURE / TRIBE: KAREN HILL TRIBES
GEOGRAPHIC ORIGIN: NORTHERN THAILAND / EASTERN BURMA (MYANMAR)
CONDITION: VERY GOOD FOR AGE – FULLY INTACT – WEARABLE – COLLECTIBLE – ORIGINAL PATINA AND OLD THREAD WRAPPING
RARITY: SCARCE SURVIVING EXAMPLE OF LONG KAREN WOODEN EAR PLUGS
SALE AS PAIR