Earplug c. 15th century

Editor: Here we have a small carving, called "Earplug", from around the 15th century. Looking at its simple geometric form and the mottled texture of the material, I'm struck by how tactile it seems. How should we approach it? Curator: Let’s start with its function as an "earplug". The very idea shifts our focus from aesthetic contemplation to bodily practice. We need to consider the labor involved, both in obtaining the raw materials, carving them, and in its usage by someone in daily life. What impact did that labor and ritual use have in society? Editor: So, beyond just seeing it as a decorative object, we should think about the work and actions surrounding it? Curator: Precisely. Consider the socio-economic status associated with the material itself. Is it jade? Obsidian? The material signals access and consumption. Was it a common material, or did its rarity signify privilege? What kind of tools shaped it? These questions pull us into the practical world of the person who made and wore this. Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't considered the "how" and "why" so explicitly. So how does looking at this materialistically change the conversation? Curator: Instead of solely valuing it as “art,” we recognize it as a product of its time. It is both a functional object and a symbolic one, interwoven with the social, economic, and bodily realities of its creation and use. And the use indicates sound, something often forgotten when looking at material culture! Editor: That's given me a totally different perspective. It's more than just an ancient object; it's a tangible link to labor and lived experience. Curator: Exactly! And seeing that connection gives this “earplug” new, resonant, significance.