Earspools depicting a procession of trumpeter monkeys

Members of the elite classes in Precolumbian America wore ear ornaments as an important part of their dress. Their earlobes were pierced when they were very young and as they grew, they wore bigger earspools, which enlarged the hole and stretched the earlobes. The earspools were usually made of precious materials: jade, turquoise, lapis lazuli, gold , silver, shell, or feathers of tropical birds of the Amazon. Material and technique: Gold repoussé discs on silver shafts.