Enquiry about object: 10549
Fine, Dayak Brass Ear Weight
Kenyah/Kayan Dayak People, Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia 19th century
length: approximately 5.2cm, width: 6cm, weight: 51g
This simple, elegant, cast brass ear weight is from the Dayak people of the interior Borneo, a large islands shared by Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.
An ornament such as this might have been worn singularly or in pairs. The ornament has no gap to allow it to be slipped over the distended ear lobe so it is likely that it was attached to the lobe by means of a thread (Brinkgreve & Stuart-Fox, 2013, p. 234).
Such ear pendants serve as weights, designed to help stretch the earlobes to exaggerated lengths, something which for both Dayak men and women was a sign of prestige.
Probably intended for a man, it is of round form with curling elements.
Ear ornaments of brass were signs of prestige and beauty. This example would have been reserved for a more prestigious wearer.
The ear ornament has the most wonderful patina and obvious age.
Above: A Dayak man wearing large ear weights, early 20th century.
References
Brinkgreve, F., & D.J. Stuart-Fox (eds), Living with Indonesian Art: The Frits Liefkes Collection, Rijksmuseum Volkenkunde, 2013.
Rodgers, S., Power and Gold: Jewelry from Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, The Barbier-Mueller Museum, Geneva, 3rd ed. 1995.
