Pair of ear ornaments in flower form

Title: Pair of ear ornaments in flower form
Description: These ear ornaments are made of seashells and are in the shape of a four-petal flower. The 4 lobes represent the cosmos, where in the beginning of time, the world consisted of 4 corners, 4 sides, and a center. Within this sacred space resided the 3 levels of the universe: the sky, the earth, the underworld.
Creator: unknown
Identifier: 1976.43.A; 1976.43.B
Date: 650-900 CE
Type: ear ornaments; earrings (jewelry)
cultural context: Mesoamerican; Maya (culture or style)
Medium: seashell
Subject: Flower petals in art; Shell jewelry; Jewelry; Decoration and ornament; Maya art
height: 4.76 cm
width: 4.76 cm
depth: 1.27 cm
Rights
Rights Holder: Dallas Museum of Art