Pair of Earrings c. 200

These jadeite earrings, crafted by the Colima people, present a crescent form, each terminating in a stylized zoomorphic head. Consider the semiotic implications of jadeite as a medium. Its inherent value transforms these ornaments into potent signifiers of status and belonging. The deliberate form of the earrings—the smooth, sweeping curve—invites interpretation. It is reminiscent of a lunar phase, potentially symbolizing cycles of renewal or reflecting cosmological beliefs. The artist’s choice to render the animal heads with geometric precision destabilizes any naturalistic reading. The creature-like head with geometric carving invites us to decode a complex network of cultural codes and artistic conventions. The holes are placed with intention which suggests a deeper symbolic function, perhaps linking the wearer to unseen realms or spiritual forces. In their composite form, these earrings transcend mere adornment. They are objects that oscillate between the aesthetic and the symbolic, embodying a sophisticated interplay of form, material, and meaning.