MSI109

Ancient hard stone ear ornaments (single) – Southwest China / Southeast Asia

This single hard stone ear ornaments features a classic slit-ring form, a design widely associated with ancient and early historic body adornment traditions of southwest China and adjacent Southeast Asia. Such ornaments were made for insertion into stretched earlobes and represent some of the earliest known forms of personal adornment in the region.

The material appears to be a dense, grey jade-like stone, possibly nephrite or a similar hard mineral, historically valued for its durability and symbolic associations with protection, endurance, and spiritual continuity. While the stone has not yet been scientifically tested, its hardness, weight, and finish are consistent with jade or jade-type materials used in ancient or early traditional contexts.

The form and material are culturally linked to regions where stone ornaments were believed to accompany and protect the body beyond life, giving these objects both ornamental and symbolic significance. The pieces show honest age and use, yet remain clean, fully intact, and well preserved.

Attribution: Southwest China / Yunnan Province / Southeast Asia
Cultural context: Ancient / early traditional stone adornment
Period: Possibly early historic to ancient (age unverified)
Material: Hard stone, possibly grey jade or nephrite (untested)
Weight: 4.45 g (single)
Measurements: 32 mm × 32 mm | ear hole approx. 10 mm
Condition: Very good; clean and intact
Sold as: single, 1 pc

Reference:

*- A WORLD OF EARRINGS AFRICA – ASIA – AMERICA – PAGE: 216~217- BY ANN VAN CUTSEM – SKIRA

*- THE JEWELRY OF SOUTHEAST ASIA - PAGE: 10 - IMAGE#: 3 & 5- ANNE RICHTER - THAMES & HUDSON