Ear Ornaments Possibly 400 - 800

Editor: These are remarkable "Ear Ornaments" from the Tiwanaku culture, possibly dating from 400 to 800. They're crafted from silver and are currently held at the Art Institute of Chicago. What strikes me is the level of detail in something that's ultimately functional, jewelry, really. What can you tell me about them? Curator: Well, look closely at the production. It's crucial to see beyond just adornment. Consider the labour invested. Silver, though seemingly simple, involves mining, refining, and intricate hammering or shaping techniques to achieve those precise geometric patterns. And look at the inlay work - painstakingly set stones or shell fragments. Each step would involve specialized knowledge and probably some sort of craft hierarchy, don't you think? Editor: That’s fascinating, I hadn't really considered the socio-economic aspect, how it reveals specialized labor and the raw materials that underpinned Tiwanaku society. Is the circular shape significant, too? Curator: Exactly! The circle often symbolizes cyclical time, completion. But think about the material availability, too. Silver wasn’t ubiquitous. Access would indicate social status. Are these pieces made for everyday adornment or something far grander than we may perceive? The way resources are extracted, transformed, and circulated tells us stories about power, belief systems, and even trade relationships. Editor: So, the beauty almost distracts us from understanding its raw ingredients, its labor. Curator: Precisely! Next time, challenge that beauty. Ask, what's underneath? Editor: It does makes me see the 'Ear Ornaments' not as just objects of beauty, but more like windows into the very fabric of Tiwanaku society. Curator: And hopefully, start questioning what constitutes art.