The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of December 22, 2025

Ear Flare Frontal

Chimú style (900–1470)

Peru, North Coast, Paramonga

(?), Chimú style (900-1470)
hammered gold alloy
Diameter: 8.6 cm (3 3/8 in.)
James Albert Ford Memorial Fund 1938.429.1
Location: Not on view

Description

These gold discs, each with the image of a richly dressed Chimú lord, originally were attached to the fronts of ear ornaments equipped with long, thick shafts that passed through the ear lobes. Such ornaments were important markers of wealth and elite status.
  • Art of the Americas. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (November 9, 1945-January 6, 1946).
    The Ancient Art in the North American Continent. The Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, OH (January 1944).
  • {{cite web|title=Ear Flare Frontal|url=false|author=|year=Chimú style (900–1470)|access-date=22 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1938.429.1