Portret van Kolleté 1883 - 1884

This is a photographic portrait of Kolleté, made by Friedrich Carel Hisgen. The subject, Kolleté, is shown in profile, her gaze directed to the right, with what appears to be a thin object piercing her lower lip. This form of body modification has a deep history in many cultures. Lip piercing, like many forms of body modification, is a cultural marker, a visible signifier of identity, status, or belonging. Across time, we see how the practice is deeply rooted in ritual, social cohesion, and individual expression. Think of the labrets worn by the women of certain tribes, or the lip plates of the Surma people. These are not mere adornments but powerful symbols. Consider how these symbols have been appropriated and reinterpreted in different contexts, even losing their original significance. They have resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.