Pair of Ear Plugs with Face of Figure in Interior Possibly 300 - 750

This pair of earplugs from the Teotihuacan culture, housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, feature a striking design. Crafted from clay, each earplug is a cylinder with a circular recess in one end. A stylized human face with distinctive headdress and eyes is depicted within the recess, a common motif in Teotihuacan art. These earplugs, likely worn for both adornment and cultural significance, are a testament to the artistic skill and aesthetic sensibilities of this ancient civilization.