Pair of Earrings c. 200

This pair of earrings were carved by an artist in Colima, a region in modern-day Mexico, out of stone, at an unknown date. These earrings are part of a larger history of body modification and adornment in the pre-Columbian Americas. The green stone, possibly jadeite, would have been a valuable material, suggesting they were worn by someone of high status. The fishlike shape may have had symbolic meaning, perhaps related to water, fertility, or the underworld, which featured prominently in the religious beliefs of many Mesoamerican cultures. Understanding these earrings requires research beyond formal analysis. We need to consider the social hierarchy of Colima society and the symbolic significance of the materials and imagery used. Archaeological reports, ethnographies of indigenous cultures, and studies of Mesoamerican religious beliefs all help us understand the cultural context in which these earrings were created and worn.