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

Usually referred to as "ear bobs" in 18th century records, these were very common. Mine are constructed like the originals with a soldered side seam, base, and loops. The side seams will be visible on some - if you can see the seam after putting the earring on, simply take it off and turn it around.
These are time consuming to make properly today, and from the records of two Philadelphia silversmiths we can see that was also true in the 18th century. The last picture shows records, that separate the cost of the silver metal, and the cost of making/fashioning. Comparing the highlighted lines, I was able to work out that the cost of making ear bobs was a little over 4 times higher than the cost of making round brooches. (Joseph Richardson was exactly 4 times higher, while William Hollingshead was 4.2 times higher)
A little over 2” long, $70 per pair.

Economy Ball & Cone earrings

Most originals were made with a soldered-on base, and the cone hung separately from the ball. These are open at the base and are assembled from components as a less expensive alternative to the ear bobs above. They are still Sterling silver, but do not bear my marks.
1 ¼” $14 each, or $26 per pair.
1 ½” $16 each, or $30 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

Custom Work

A customer sent me this one-of-a-kind ear bob. Probably modified by the owner. It was found in an undisclosed location in Michigan’s upper peninsula. Drilling just would not have the same look, so I had to make sacrificial wooden “anvils” to punch the holes without crushing the cones.