Earflare Set 3rd-9th century Maya These two nesting ornaments represent one half of a pair of earflares (see 1994.35.590a, b for the mate). Set into a wide perforation in the wearers earlobe (as earspools are today), these ornaments would have been anchored in place in various ways. In some cases, a bead (or beads) were set into the front of the earflare, anchoring it with the help of a set of beaded counterweights that were threaded through the earflare and hung behind the earlobe. Another possibility is that an L-shaped plug (likely made of wood) was fitted through the earflares central opening, or stem, from the back, holding the entire assemblage in place, snug against the wearers ear.The smaller, deeper green insert fits perfectly inside the lighter green, larger earflare. Two sets of holes were drilled through the shafts of each nested pair, possibly so thread or string could be used to lash them together. Compared to other jade earflares found in the Maya world, these are rel