See more objects with the tag personal adornment, jewelry, cultural preservation, lips, brass, initiation, copper.

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Object Timeline

1978

  • Work on this object ended.

1995

  • We acquired this object.

2007

2015

2025

  • You found it!

Wire lip plug Lip Plug

This is a lip plug. It is dated ca. 1900–73 and we acquired it in 1995. Its medium is beaten brass, copper and iron wire, glass bead. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

It is credited Gift of Anonymous Donor.

  • Wall Hanging, Goliath
  • varnished copper wire, polymetal, pirarucu fish scales, metal.
  • Courtesy of the artist and Cristina Grajales Gallery.
  • 13.2015.1

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 5.9 x 2 x 3.3 cm (2 5/16 x 13/16 x 1 5/16 in.)

Cite this object as

Wire lip plug Lip Plug; Kenya; beaten brass, copper and iron wire, glass bead; H x W x D: 5.9 x 2 x 3.3 cm (2 5/16 x 13/16 x 1 5/16 in.); Gift of Anonymous Donor; 1995-37-7

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-6.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18651133/ |title=Wire lip plug Lip Plug |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=19 March 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>