DL Trade Silver
Ear Things
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5 Circle ear wheel
Technically 6 if you count the outer circle. Three or four inner circles were more common among originals, but this design is my favorite.
Originals tended to be large - 3” to 6” diameters were not uncommon, but most people today do not want something that large. I’m pretty sure I can make up any size or design you can show me a picture of.
1 ¼” or 1 ½”, $100 per pair, $55 for one. Includes your choice of wire hanger.
Hearts ear wheel
Originals had from 6 to 12 hearts. My version has 10 hearts.
1 ¼” or 1 ½”, $90 per pair, $50 for one.
Includes your choice of wire hanger
Weeping Hearts ear wheel
My variation of the above.
1 ¼” or 1 ½”, $90 per pair, $50 for one.
Includes your choice of wire hanger.
Ball & Cone earrings
Earrings like this were very common. Usually referred to as "ear bobs" in 18th century records. Most originals were made with a soldered-on base, and that takes a lot of extra time. These are open at the base and are a more economical alternative.
1 ¼” $17 each, or $30 per pair.
1 ½” $19 each, or $35 per pair.
Includes your choice of wire hanger. (The measurements do not include the hanger.)
Otter Earrings
These are derived from the Kissing Otter brooches but were not part of the fur trade.
$100 per pair, $55 for one. Includes your choice of wire hanger.
Wire Ear Loop or Hanger
The plain loop was the most common and often worn by itself. The twisted wire is my variation. (both 16-gauge wire)
The modern “S” wire hanger (22-gauge) has 18th century roots – the museum pieces (eagle earrings) below use something similar.
$5 each when sold separately.
Eagle Earrings
Several variations of eagle or bird earrings exist in museum collections. Mine are a blending of those pieces found at various village sites. They have a gentle curve rather than a bulge in the middle. The banner across the top can easily be left off.
$100 per pair. 1 ½”
$130 per pair with tassels. ~2 ½” tall
Ear Cuffs
Ear cuffs are a modern invention. However...
We know that natives made “rolled beads” from scraps of sheet silver and these were quite common. We also know that many natives went beyond simple ear piercing and cut most of the back of the ear. The back of the ear was wrapped & stretched over time, and ornaments of silver & other materials were suspended from these cut ears. Given those facts, it is almost obvious that rolled beards were worn like ear cuffs on the cut ears, though I have never found exact documentation of this.
3/8” by 1 5/16” (when flat), $20
Ear Cuffs with Baubles
These are even less period correct than plain ear cuffs, but many people like them. I often wear one when the historical representation does not need to be precise.
Same size as above with added cross, cone, etc. $35
Hard Ear Cuffs
These are made from a heavy gauge of wire. I doubt I will make these again and existing stock is limited.
2 or 3 band $15 each