Plug
ca. 1478–1425 B.C.E.
1 of 5
Object Label
Earrings
Earrings were a late arrival in Egypt.
They first appeared in the Middle Kingdom—probably introduced from Nubia or western Asia—but did not become popular until early in the Eighteenth Dynasty. By that time, in the truly cosmopolitan civilization of the New Kingdom, men, women, and children of high social standing all wore earrings. Perhaps because they originated in a foreign culture, earrings seem to have had no protective function for the Egyptians, unlike other jewelry. The principal forms of earrings included hoops, “boats,” plugs, and studs. All four types were attached to the ear through a hole piercing the lobe.
Earrings were a late arrival in Egypt.
They first appeared in the Middle Kingdom—probably introduced from Nubia or western Asia—but did not become popular until early in the Eighteenth Dynasty. By that time, in the truly cosmopolitan civilization of the New Kingdom, men, women, and children of high social standing all wore earrings. Perhaps because they originated in a foreign culture, earrings seem to have had no protective function for the Egyptians, unlike other jewelry. The principal forms of earrings included hoops, “boats,” plugs, and studs. All four types were attached to the ear through a hole piercing the lobe.
Caption
Plug, ca. 1478–1425 B.C.E.. Egyptian alabaster (calcite), 15.500a: 15/16 x diam. 13/16 in. (2.4 x 2 cm) 15.500b: 9/16 x diam. 1/2 in. (1.4 x 1.3 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund, 15.500a-b. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Title
Plug
Date
ca. 1478–1425 B.C.E.
Dynasty
Dynasty 18
Period
New Kingdom
Geography
Place excavated: Balabish, Egypt
Medium
Egyptian alabaster (calcite)
Classification
Dimensions
15.500a: 15/16 x diam. 13/16 in. (2.4 x 2 cm) 15.500b: 9/16 x diam. 1/2 in. (1.4 x 1.3 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of the Egypt Exploration Fund
Accession Number
15.500a-b
Frequent Art Questions
Are these mushrooms?
These objects certainly are mushroomed-shaped but no, they are actually plugs to be worn in the ears. And the doughnut-shaped one is simply an earring.
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