Padung-Padung Ear Ornaments

Karo Batak, North Sumatra, Indonesia
19th c.

Old American collection

Traditionally, Karo women adorned themselves with two types of these accessories. One was worn through the ear, supported by a headdress due to its weight, while the other was positioned behind the head, attached to the headdress. The pair presented here features removable segments, enabling them to be affixed to either the ear or the headdress.

Padung-Padung held cultural significance as they were bestowed by the bride’s father on her wedding day, symbolizing her altered marital status. While spirals are a common motif in jewelry worldwide, what distinguishes padung-padung is their extraordinary size and weight, rendering them truly unique.