Piercings Collection

An old Kikuyu lady picks coffee Taken in the 1960 s, this photograph depicts a traditional form of dress and ear ornaments among Kikuyu women, which has completely disappeared

Surma woman-III
Joxe Inazio Kuesta Garmendia

Indians of the Rio Quarto; Frontier Adventures in the Argentine Republic, 1875. Creator: Unknown
Indians of the Rio Quarto; Frontier Adventures in the Argentine Republic, 1875. From Illustrated Travels by H.W. Bates. [Cassell, Petter, and Galpin, c1880, London] and Galpin

Chukchi woman with tattoos on her cheek, chin and arm, and ear piercings. (Chukotka region, Russia). From Joseph Billings

Phil Jones punk singer and girlfriend Mandy Todd 1982 pop group Afraid of Mice Nose rings linked by chain

Hindoo Fakir, 1875. Creator: Unknown
Hindoo Fakir; (Elephant shooting in the Dehra Dhoon), 1875. [Indian holy man with pierced cheeks, holding an item of religious significance]. From, Illustrated Travels by H.W. Bates

The Sacred Monogram and the Wounds of Christ, 15th century. 15th century. Creator: Anon
The Sacred Monogram and the Wounds of Christ, 15th century

Matses or Matis warrior of Brazil, with facial tattoos, labrets, and piercings with macaw feathers and snail shells
6339094 Matses or Matis warrior of Brazil, with facial tattoos, labrets, and piercings with macaw feathers and snail shells by Hendrickx

Funerary mask, Chimu (gold)
XIR162918 Funerary mask, Chimu (gold) by Pre-Columbian; Museo del Oro, Lima, Peru; South American, out of copyright

Heads of Botocudos Indians (colour engraving)
STC109031 Heads of Botocudos Indians (colour engraving) by Gallina, Gallo (1796-1874); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; Italian, out of copyright

Masks, hats and tools of the Aleut people. Hats, masks, feathers, headdresses, facial piercings, and spear and arrow. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from Giulio Ferrarios Ancient

Mr William, the American Fakir with his tattoed dog (b / w photo)
3639190 Mr William, the American Fakir with his tattoed dog (b/w photo) by German Photographer (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Mr William)

Two Wax Figures of Indigenous Americans at Mixs Museum, New Haven, Connecticuta
1079418 Two Wax Figures of Indigenous Americans at Mixs Museum, New Haven, ConnecticutA, 1813 (watercolor, graphite, and black ink on paper) by Hyde de Neuville

Seated female (earthenware)
DBP422932 Seated female (earthenware) by Nayarit; Private Collection; Photo eDirk Bakker; Mexican, out of copyright

Indian costumes, late 19th Century (engraving)
968777 Indian costumes, late 19th Century (engraving) by German School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Indian costumes, late 19th Century)

Eskimos from North America (colour engraving)
STC109061 Eskimos from North America (colour engraving) by Bramati, G. (19th century); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; Italian, out of copyright

Maria Perez, April 1981 16 year old punk rocker girl with tufted hair

Punk Rocker dancing with safety pin through nose, June 1977

EyeUbiquitous_20100373
Scotland, Lothian, Edinburgh Fringe Festival of the Arts 2010, Street performers and crowds on the Royal Mile, mand with muliple facial piercings putting spike through his tongue

Africa, Ethiopia, Southern Omo Valley, Nyangaton Tribe. Detail of a Nyangton womans heavy bead necklace

A Mursi woman wearing a large clay lip plate. Shortly before marriage, a girls lower lip will be pierced and progressively stretched over a year or so

A Wa-Arusha warrior carries home a yoke. His brown necklace is made from aromatic wood. The Wa-Arusha are closely related to the Msai and speak the same _maa language

A Turkana woman, typically wearing many layers of bead necklaces and a series of hooped earrings with an pair of leaf-shaped earrrings at the front, sits in the entrance to her hut

Kenya, South Horr, Kurungu. A Samburu youth after his circumcision. The day after he has been circumcised, the initiate must hang in his pierced earlobes copper ear ornaments that are normally worn

Detail of a Msai warriors ear ornaments and other beaded or metal adornments. The Msai practice of piercing ears in adolescence and gradually elongating the lobes is gradually dying out

Teenage Punk girl with spiky hair in London April 1983

Thaipusam, Hindu Festival - Singapore - Vel Kavadi
Thaipusam, Hindu Festival, marked by Piercings and Painful Rituals in Singapore. The festival is mainly observed in countries where there is a significant presence of Tamil community such as India

A Msai woman in traditional attire. The preponderance of white glass beads in her ornaments denotes that she is from the Kisongo section of the Msai, the largest clan group

A Turkana woman sitting in the doorway of her hut. Her heavy mporro braided necklace identifies her as a married woman. Typical of her tribe

Turkana elders wear decorative ivory lip ornaments, secured in position by a spigot which is inserted in a hole pierced below the mans lower lip after initiation

Racial / New Guinea 3 Men
Men of New Guinea Date: circa 1870

Brass jug made from 2 French 75 mm shell case bottoms
Brass jug with an integral paraffin burner made out of 2 French 75 mm. shell case bottoms. Jug has an arts and crafts shaped handle and the base has ecclesiastical piercings. Trench Art

South American Carijona Indians (engraving)
KW1078094 South American Carijona Indians (engraving) by Spanish School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: South American Carijona Indians in the 19th century)

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"Piercings: A Journey Through Time and Culture" Step into the fascinating world of piercings, where ancient traditions and modern expressions intertwine. From an old Kikuyu lady delicately picking coffee in the 1960s to Phil Jones, the punk singer, and his girlfriend Mandy Todd from the pop group Afraid of Mice in 1982, they have always been a form of self-expression. Travel back to 1875 with us as we encounter a Hindoo Fakir whose body is adorned with intricate piercings. The creator remains unknown, but their artistry speaks volumes about cultural practices during that era. Fast forward to the 15th century when "The Sacred Monogram and the Wounds of Christ" were depicted through piercing artistry by an anonymous artist. Venturing into Brazil's rich history, we meet Matses or Matis warriors proudly displaying facial tattoos, labrets, and piercings embellished with vibrant macaw feathers and snail shells. Their adornments serve as symbols of strength and identity within their tribe. Witnessing Chimu's gold funerary mask transports us to ancient Peru where elaborate facial they were worn even after death. These intricate designs reflect not only beauty but also spiritual significance for this civilization. Heading towards South America's indigenous tribes reveals Botocudos Indians donning colorful engravings on their faces while Chukchi women showcase stunning tattoos on their cheeks and chin. Each mark tells a unique story passed down through generations. Crossing continents once more brings us closer to Aleut people who utilize masks, hats, and tools adorned with piercing details as part of their cultural heritage. These pieces are not merely accessories; they represent tradition deeply rooted in their way of life. Intriguingly enough, even our furry friends have joined this journey. Meet Mr William.