Earring

1800

Ear ornament of ivory, oval plate, which is clamped into a hole in the earlobe. A conical design, the end of which is divided in two and provided with carvings in the form of three idols.For special occasions, both men and women wore elaborate ear ornaments. The ivory for the ear ornaments (hakakai/ha'akai) was obtained from whales that were stranded. Ear ornaments became very popular starting in the 19th century, when European and American whalers and sandalwood traders traded whale ivory for food.This ornament was worn by men with the large disc in the front of the ear and the pin in the back. A stick was inserted into the ear to keep the ear ornament in place. (Wonu Veys, December 2009)