Coiled brass wirework arcs across a half-moon of warm walnut-toned wood, finished with a single spiral at the center. Handmade in Kenya, each pair carries the mark of artisan metalwork paired with hand-shaped wood.
- Material: Wood with brass wire detailing and brass ear hooks
- Size: 3.125" (plus hook) x 2"
- Details: Half-moon wood silhouette, fan-shaped coiled brass arc, central spiral motif, long brass drop bar
- Origin / Craft: Handmade by Kenyan artisans using traditional brass wire-wrapping techniques
The contrast between the rich brown wood and the warm Antique Gold brass gives the piece a graphic, sculptural presence. Each arc is wound by hand, so the spacing of the coils varies subtly from pair to pair — a signature of artisan-made work rather than a flaw.
Care: Wipe wood and brass with a dry cloth; keep away from water and lotions to preserve the finish.
design: A half-moon of warm, walnut-toned wood is capped with a fan of hand-coiled brass wire and centered on a single wound spiral, hung from a long brass drop bar and ear wire.
size: 3.125" (plus hook) x 2"
material: Wood with brass wire detailing and brass ear hooks
features: Half-moon wood silhouette, fan-shaped coiled brass arc, central spiral motif, long brass drop bar, lightweight wood body
care: Wipe wood and brass with a dry cloth and keep the earrings away from water and lotions to preserve the finish.
disclaimer: Each arc is coiled by hand, so the spacing of the brass wire and the grain of the wood vary subtly from pair to pair.
The Story
Wire-wrapping brass around a shaped base is a longstanding metalworking technique among Kenyan artisans, who take straight-gauge brass wire and coil it by hand into tight, even arcs rather than casting or stamping a pattern. Here the coils fan out across the top of a half-moon of wood, echoing the curve of the silhouette before drawing the eye down to a single wound spiral at the center.
The spiral is one of the most common forms in hand-coiled brass work because it is also the most direct expression of the technique itself: a single length of wire, wound continuously inward until it closes on itself. Paired with locally worked wood, it reflects a practical pairing found across East African jewelry making, where brass is prized for its warm color and workability and wood supplies a light, durable base for pieces this size.
The result is a piece that reads as graphic and architectural rather than ornamental for its own sake, built from a small set of repeated moves — coil, wrap, spiral — that depend entirely on the hand of the person making it.
A Kenyan artisan cuts and shapes the wood half-moon first, sanding it smooth before turning to the brass. Lengths of brass wire are wound coil by coil around a form to build the fan pattern at the top of the wood, then a separate length is spiraled flat and set at the center by hand — no two spirals wind up perfectly identical. The drop bar and ear hook are shaped from the same wire, and the wood and metal elements are fitted together before the finished pair is matched, a process that runs entirely through hand tools rather than machine stamping.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: Kenya
- Craft Tradition: Kenyan brass wire-wrapping
- Ideal For: Someone who wants a bold, graphic statement earring with visible handwork
- Wear It With: Wear with an updo or pulled-back hair so the long drop and coiled brass fan are visible; pairs well with warm neutrals and other mixed-metal or wood pieces
- Purpose: Everyday statement wear, evening or dressed-up looks, gifting
- Metal: Brass
Questions & Answers
What are these earrings made of?
A half-moon of walnut-toned wood with hand-coiled brass wire detailing, a brass drop bar, and brass ear hooks.
Will they be comfortable for all-day wear?
The wood half-moon keeps the body of the earring light, though the long drop design means you'll feel some length and movement, more like a statement earring than a stud.
Are the two earrings in a pair exactly identical?
Close, but not exact. Because each brass coil and spiral is wound by hand, you'll see small variations in coil spacing and wood grain between the two earrings — a mark of handmade work, not a flaw.
How do I care for the wood and brass?
Wipe both with a dry cloth after wear and keep them away from water, perfume, and lotion, which can dull the brass and affect the wood finish over time.
Where are these earrings made?
They're handmade in Kenya by artisans using traditional brass wire-wrapping techniques, paired with hand-shaped wood.
