Artifact Eskimo Inuit "Top Hat" Labret 500+ years old

Description

Labrets or Lip Plugs have been in use in Western Alaska for 5,000 years.  Early Bering Sea Cultures would pierce the lips or cheeks of infants and then by using ever expanding labrets enlarge the plugs into adulthood.  Both males and females wore labrets with the largest labrets being reserved for village Elders.  Labret use isn't commonly associated with Alaskan Cultures because the practice was largely shamed out of existence by early Missionaries.  By the turn of the 19th century the practice had all but died out and all that was left of the tradition was the labrets themselves.  Utilitarian pieces are the backbone of any collection, but it is the more intimate adornment pieces like the labret that really tell the story of a people and a tradition.  This small "Top Hat" style Labret may have been for a child or adolescent, it will be a great addition to any collection.  Please look at our other items.