For the Love of Earrings - A Short History

I don't know about you, but I feel strange when I hop in the trusty Dog Mobile and notice I have forgotten to put on a pair of earrings!  At least there, in the driveway, I can hop out of the truck, run inside and put on a pair.  But, heaven help me if I get somewhere and realize I am earring-less!  It's like the world has tilted just a bit on its axis!  Being an ardent wearer of pierced earrings, I have quite the collection; the longer, the better.  Just LOVE them.  

Turquoise magnesite and brown jasper mixed metal earrings by Pamela of PebblesatmyFeet

Because of my love for earrings, this morning I decided to curate a collection, called "Feeling a Bit Ear-y Today", featuring earrings from talented members of the Checked In Today guild.  I tried to get a wide range of fun and funky earrings - and think I succeeded thanks to the artists!  Seeing all the different styles of earrings started my mind a-whirring and I wanted to find out more about the history of earrings, especially the pierced style.  Fascinating stuff!  Here is some of what I found:

Lacy copper wire woven and purple seed bead earrings by Dawn of JewelryArtByDawn

Earrings have graced the ear lobes of men and women since at least 3000 B.C.; the oldest earrings to date have been found in royal graves in Iraq.  Both Moses and Abraham mention earrings in the Bible.  Dating from about 500 B.C., some walls of an ancient palace of Persepolis in Persia have carved images of soldiers wearing earrings.  Earrings have been used as symbols of adornment, wealth and social standing, cultural identification, superstition, religion and even currency throughout human history.  

Red and blue polymer clay earrings with Swarovski crystals by Julie of BlueMorningExpressions

Hoops and pendant dangle earrings were the earliest designs attached through ear lobe by piercing, one of the oldest known forms of body modification.  In primitive cultures, evil spirits were believed to be kept from entering the body by wearing earrings.  Earrings were also thought of as "curative" to many ancient cultures.  Piercing the ears was recommended to strengthen weak eyes, especially gold earrings set with emeralds.  Gold earrings were often "prescribed" to help cure headaches.  

Sunflower yellow jade and ornate Bali silver drop earrings by Aya of AyaDesigns

When someone thinks of a pirate, a gold earring is almost always part of the wardrobe.  This is because many ancient sailors began wearing gold hoops when boats were built to voyage long distances - and the tradition remains to this day.  A superstitious group, sailors wore them for several reasons:  an earring signified the wearer crossed the equator, sailed around the world or survived a shipwreck; an earring improved eyesight or hearing; and, in case of death through a shipwreck, a gold earring would pay for a proper burial wherever the body washed ashore.  

Chevron patterned earrings created with silver lined teal tube beads by Kathy of Specialtivity

Over the course of centuries, earrings came into and went out of fashion.  Ancient Egyptians preferred earrings made of gold.  The Greeks used many types of metals but adorned them with multicolored gemstones.  Wealthy Roman women used earrings, often encrusted with gemstones, to show off their social status.  Even the "common" people wore earrings, albeit the designs were much more modest.

Blue lapis lazuli and sterling silver hoop earrings by Sally of CrystalBazaar

During the Middle Ages, sometimes called the Dark Ages (c. 500 - 1300), poverty, superstition and plague was very common and the wearing of all metal jewelry declined, except for the very wealthy.  Once the Renaissance period arrived (c. 1400 - 1688), elaborate hairstyles and clothing styles with very high, ruffled collars (think Queen Elizabeth 1), precluded the wearing of earrings.  Women began wearing their hair pulled back in the late 1600 - earrings were back!  Then in the early 1700, the fashion was large bonnets with wide ribbons - earrings were gone!  In the latter half of the 1700's and the early 1800's earrings were being worn again since the fashion style was bonnetless with an upswept hairstyle.  

Purple and pink checkered dichroic glass post earrings by Kellie of ResetarGlassArt

In the later 1800's and early part of the 1900's, Victorian style dictated that pierced ears were uncouth (as well as LOTS of other things!) and associated with heathens.  Earrings fell out of favor again, even though the Queen wore earrings that, to me, look like the pierced style.  Here's a link to a photo:  Queen Victoria.  Tell me what you think.

Tibetan Om bone bead earrings with unakite and padparadscha Swarovski crystals by Mary of PrettyGonzo

Even with the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, pierced ears were still frowned on.  Clip-on earrings were invented in the 1920's and screwback earring were invented in the 1930's.  Both of these were viewed as being more sanitary and proper.  They ruled the earring world until the 1970's where ear piercing once again gained in popularity.  And what amazing, wide ranging designs we can revel in!!!  Now, doesn't it seem odd when someone does NOT have pierced ears?

Here are more fun and funky earrings from the "Feeling a Bit Ear-y Today" collection:  

Cream and silver lampwork and vintage rondelle earrings by Janet of HoneyFromTheBee

I hope you enjoyed this short history of earrings.  I could have added MUCH more but didn't want to end up writing a novella - LOL!  

You can make my day by leaving a comment.  And any promotion you can do will be GREATLY appreciated by all the artists featured in this blog post.  Thanks!