Pair of Ear Ornaments with Winged Runners, Moche, Peru, A.D. 400–700,These winged creatur

Pair of Ear Ornaments with Winged Runners, Moche, Peru, A.D.400–700,

These winged creatures running toward one another, mirroring each other’s bodies and holding bags in their outstretched arms might be mythical messengers, traveling between the living and spirit worlds. 

In ancient Peru, boys and girls in high-ranking families had their ears pierced and wore large earflares to stretch the holes. Long, droopy earlobes were a sign of power—sometimes they even hung down to their shoulders!

Gold, turquoise, sodalite, shell,

Dimensions: Diam. 3 3/16 in. (8 cm).

Courtesy: The Metropolitan Museum of Art