Title
Pair of ear plugs
Year/Period
Late 19th-early 20th century
Region
Java
Dimension
refer to parts
Accession No.
2002-00536
Collection of
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. Edmond Chin
This is a pair of Javanese ‘suweng’ or ear plugs, which have diamonds arranged on a blue disc to form a floral design. Tiny beads also adorn the circumference of the discs. The preference for large ornaments declined gradually in the 19th century and while the larger styles retained its popularity in the countryside, urban women started to wear smaller and lighter studs.