Slim, tapered spikes of hand-carved bone are capped in warm brass and finished by Kenyan artisans. The pairing of pale bone with rustic brass gives each earring a quiet, sculptural presence drawn from East African adornment traditions.
- Material: Bone with brass cap and ear hook
- Size: 2.5" long Plus Hook
- Details: Pencil-point silhouette, cream bone shaft, warm brass fitting, matte handmade finish. Each is unique.
- Origin / Craft: Handmade in Kenya using traditional bone-carving and brass-working techniques
Each spike is shaped and sanded by hand, so the taper, grain, and brass cap vary slightly from pair to pair. The contrast of polished metal against raw bone keeps the form graphic and modern, while the small irregularities mark the piece as truly handmade.
Care: Wipe bone gently with a soft dry cloth and keep brass dry to preserve its warm patina.
design: A slim, tapered spike of hand-carved bone comes to a fine point and is topped with a squared brass cap, giving each earring a graphic, pencil-like silhouette on a simple brass ear hook.
size: 2.5" long, plus hook.
material: Bone with a brass cap and brass ear hook.
features: Hand-carved bone shaft, forged brass cap, pencil-point silhouette, matte handmade finish, lightweight ear hook
care: Wipe the bone gently with a soft dry cloth and keep the brass dry to help preserve its warm patina.
disclaimer: Each spike is shaped and sanded by hand, so the taper, grain, and brass cap vary slightly from pair to pair.
The Story
The pencil-point spike is a long-standing form in East African bone and horn carving, where straight-grained material is shaped into clean, tapered lines rather than curved or rounded shapes. Cutting a spike this slim and even by hand takes a practiced eye — the carver has to sand down from a thicker blank while keeping the point centered and symmetrical.
Pairing pale bone with a brass cap and fitting is common in Kenyan metal and bone work, where brass is valued for its warmth and workability. The cap does double duty: it finishes the raw edge of the bone cleanly and gives the carver a second material to work in contrast, so the piece reads as a considered pairing rather than a single material dressed up.
The result is a spare, architectural shape rather than a decorative one — the kind of graphic line that comes from carving toward a form, not adding embellishment to it.
A Kenyan artisan starts from a length of bone and carves it down by hand, shaving and sanding the shaft until it tapers evenly to a fine point. The brass cap is separately forged and finished, then fitted and set over the wider end of the bone spike, with the ear hook attached to complete the piece. Because each shaft is carved individually, the exact taper and grain of the bone shift slightly from one earring to the next.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: Kenya
- Craft Tradition: Kenyan bone-carving and brass-working
- Ideal For: Anyone drawn to graphic, sculptural jewelry with a handmade edge
- Wear It With: Let them hang solo against a plain neckline or pair with other brass pieces for a warm, tonal look
- Purpose: Everyday wear, layering with other brass jewelry, gifting
- Metal: Brass
Questions & Answers
What is the bone sourced from, and is it treated?
The listing specifies bone shaped and finished by hand; it isn't described as dyed or treated beyond carving and sanding, so the pale color is the material's natural tone.
Will the two earrings in a pair look identical?
Not exactly. Each spike is carved and sanded by hand, so the taper, grain, and brass cap vary slightly between the two earrings and from pair to pair.
How long do these earrings hang?
Each earring measures 2.5 inches long including the ear hook.
Is the brass solid, or a plated finish?
The product data describes the cap and hook simply as brass with a matte, handmade finish; no plating is specified.
How should I clean and store them?
Wipe the bone with a soft dry cloth and keep the brass away from moisture to help preserve its warm patina over time.
