MSI715

ANTIQUE GILDED BRONZE EAR PLUGS WITH FACETED CLEAR STONE SETTINGS – RANGOON, BURMA (PAIR)

THIS RARE PAIR OF ANTIQUE EAR PLUGS COMES WITH ITS ORIGINAL HAND-FORGED COPPER STORAGE BOX, CUSTOM-MADE TO HOLD THE PAIR SECURELY, REFLECTING THE HIGH STATUS AND URBAN LUXURY ASSOCIATED WITH THEIR OWNER.

CRAFTED IN EARLY 20TH-CENTURY RANGOON, THESE ELEGANT EAR PLUGS REPRESENT URBAN BURMESE METALWORK AT ITS MOST REFINED. MADE FROM CAST BRONZE WITH REMNANTS OF GOLD LEAF GILDING, THEY FEATURE DOME-SHAPED FACES SET WITH MULTIPLE FACETED CLEAR STONES OR GLASS IN TRADITIONAL CLUSTER FORMATIONS. THE REVERSE SIDE INCLUDES A SCREW-PLATE MECHANISM FOR SECURE INSERTION INTO THE EARLOBE & A SCREW THAT HOLDS THE UPPER STONE SETTING AREA TOGETHER—A DESIGN COMMON TO HIGH-STATUS, NON-TRIBAL BURMESE JEWELRY OF THE PERIOD.

THEIR STYLE SHOWS STRONG PARALLELS OF JAVA AND STRAITS SETTLEMENTS JEWELRY, INDICATING POSSIBLE INTER-REGIONAL INFLUENCE. UNLIKE HIGHLAND TRIBAL PIECES, THIS FORM WAS LIKELY COMMISSIONED FOR ELITE OR CEREMONIAL URBAN USE.

WEIGHT: 35.03 GRAM (PAIR) (weight .no box: 17.51 grm | with box: 35.03 grm)
MEASUREMENTS: LENGTH 24 MM | WIDTH 22 MM (measurement box: L30mm | W51mm | D25mm)
EARLOBE HOLE: APPROX. 8 MM
MATERIAL: BRONZE, GOLD LEAF GILDING, FACETED CLEAR STONES OR GLASS
ORIGIN: RANGOON (YANGON), BURMA (MYANMAR)
PERIOD: EARLY 20TH CENTURY
CONDITION: VERY GOOD FOR ITS AGE – FULLY INTACT, WEARABLE, COLLECTIBLE, 1 EARRING MISSING 2 STONES, AND THE OTHER MISSING 3 STONES.
SALE AS SET: PAIR WITH ORIGINAL COPPER BOX

A HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE, URBAN BURMESE LUXURY PIECE WITH STRONG HISTORICAL CHARACTER AND EXCELLENT PRESERVATION.
SOLD AS PAIR.
REFERANCE:
*- THE JEWELRY OF SOUTHEAST ASIA - PAGE: 29 - IMAGE#: 48 & 49 - ANNE RICHTER - THAMES & HUDSON]