Ancient Aztec, Maya, and other Mesoamerican indigenous cultures were among some of the most talented metallurgists and jewelry makers of the ancient world. They worked with gold, turquoise, jade, quartz, obsidian, amethyst, silver, and wood to create elaborate facial jewelry, rings, brooches, necklaces, and pendants. Piercings were a part of coming of age rituals, war victories, marriage, and as an indicator of social status. In Aztec culture, the more jewelry one wore, the closer to the gods you were in society’s eyes, with the nobles and rulers wearing a large quantity of gold and jade jewelry, and lower classes wearing wood or stone jewelry.
Some of the most impressive pieces that survived the Spanish colonization and mass theft of Mesoamerican art and jewelry are the labret plugs. Imagine one of these long, detailed gold serpent or eagle heads hanging from your lower lip. Not to mention the heavy gold jewelry that would be hanging from your ears, neck, nose, wrists, fingers, and body. I can see how this would create an aura of intimidation and immense wealth, and it brings to mind the huge, layered and diamond-encrusted chains worn by hip hop and rap musicians today, as well as the cesspool of stolen wealth that decorates the wholly underserving British monarchy. I’m sure they’re sitting on a lot of stolen Mesoamerican jewelry right now, actually. I’d love to spear Quetzalcoatl’s gold tongue right through the king’s eye. I hope the unbearable weight of his family’s bad karma gets to him soon.
Anyway — check out some amazing Mesoamerican jewelry right here:
