Ear Ornament 

Editor: Here we have what's described as an "Ear Ornament," and credited to the Aztecs, though undated. It's currently held at The Met. It strikes me as quite minimalist in its geometric shape. How might we begin to interpret such an intriguing, simple object? Curator: Let us approach it through its inherent form. Note the precisely rendered cylindrical structure, flanked by circular flanges. What does this repetition of form suggest to you? Editor: A sense of balance and deliberate construction, definitely. Almost like a study in pure geometry. Is that something the Aztecs were known for? Curator: The historical and cultural implications are, admittedly, far less important to pure visual analysis than the structural organization and geometry inherent to the object itself. Consider the interior space. Its emptiness is essential to understanding the object's being. Editor: I see what you mean! The hollowness creates a sort of tension against the solid form, a push and pull. It is less about the object’s cultural role as ornamentation and more about our apprehension of it as an organized entity. Curator: Precisely. One might consider the piece’s texture too, in addition to its formal dimensions. We are looking at something created with precise and clear structural intent. What more do you note regarding the finish? Editor: Well, even though it's hard to say from the image, I can definitely see the texture influencing its reception. Depending on the material and level of sheen, its entire identity changes. Curator: Indeed! Ultimately, observing such forms offers a direct, unmediated engagement with fundamental artistic principles such as volume, proportion, and spatial relationships. Editor: This was interesting. It changed how I perceive an artifact beyond its origins or function to seeing its innate characteristics. Curator: Agreed; it allows one to explore the elemental components of artistic expression.