Labret – Transfacial Lip Adornment In Rock Crystal - Niger

Rare ornament in the shape of a stick (head on one side and tip on the other) made of translucent rock crystal (quartz), called a "labret".
By customs of ornamental mutilation of the face of certain peoples of Africa, the labrets are housed between the two orifices pierced on either side of the lips. Our example was worn on the lower lip (or even upper) and shows great mastery of the work of polishing silica. Neolithic period (6000 to 5000 BC). Beautiful superficial patina.
Origin: Niger
Length: 6 cm. Presented in a collector's display case (9cm on each side).
Very beautiful, unusual object, curious to our eyes, testifying to a particularly painful custom, brought back from a trip. From an old collection. Some labrets are made of terracotta, or bone, sometimes even circular, crossing the lips, cheeks or nose.
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Bibliography:
. Klenkler CE (2003) – Sahara, Historical Artifacts, (volume) 2. Dodo Publications Geneva: 102, 189, 190.
. Léger D. (2001) – Body adornments of southeastern Niger. In: History of art. No. 48. Adornment, costume and clothing: 127-138.