Slender brass cones tipped in polished black horn, suspended from a slim threader wire that slips clean through the lobe. Handmade in Kenya, these earrings show the maker's hand in their gently brushed brass finish and the natural variation of the horn caps.
- Material: Brass with natural black horn tips
- Size: About 2" x 0.25"
- Details: Tapered cone drops, black horn caps, slim threader-wire closure
- Origin / Craft: Hand-fabricated by artisans in Kenya, blending sheet brass with locally sourced horn
The cone silhouette has a graphic, almost architectural feel — narrow at the top, weighted at the base, swinging freely from the threader. Brass catches warm light against the matte black horn tip, a contrast that comes from the materials themselves rather than added finishes. Each pair varies slightly in horn grain and brass tone.
Care: Wipe with a dry soft cloth; keep horn away from water and prolonged humidity.
design: A slender brass cone, wide at the base and tapering to a point, capped in polished black horn and hung from a slim threader wire that slips straight through the lobe.
size: About 2" x 0.25"
material: Brass with natural black horn tips
features: Tapered cone silhouette, polished black horn cap, brushed brass finish, slim threader-wire closure, lightweight drop
care: Wipe with a dry, soft cloth and keep the horn away from water and prolonged humidity.
disclaimer: Each pair varies slightly in horn grain and brass tone, since both are natural, hand-finished materials.
The Story
The cone-and-cap silhouette in these earrings draws on a long East African tradition of working sheet brass into clean, architectural forms, then pairing the metal with horn — a durable, locally available material long used for beads, handles, and adornment across Kenya. Combining the two lets a maker show off two different properties in one piece: brass for its warmth and shine, horn for its dense, matte black finish.
Threader-style earwires like this one are a practical, modern reading of an old idea: a fine wire that passes through the ear and lets the main form hang and swing freely, rather than sitting fixed against the lobe. It's a construction favored where metal is worked by hand rather than cast, since a drawn wire and a rolled cone are both things a skilled metalsmith can produce with basic tools and a steady hand.
The contrast between the brushed gold-toned brass and the deep black horn tip isn't an applied finish — it's simply what happens when two natural materials with different colors and textures are set side by side, a detail that comes from the materials themselves rather than from paint or plating.
A pair like this starts with flat sheet brass, cut and rolled by hand into a narrow cone, then soldered along its seam and smoothed with a brushed finish. The horn tip is shaped separately — cut, sanded, and polished to a glossy black — before being fitted and set into the open end of the brass cone. The threader wire is drawn and formed last, then joined to the cone so the whole earring hangs and moves freely. Because the horn is a natural material, no two caps sand and polish to quite the same grain or sheen, so the maker's hand shows in small variations from one pair to the next.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: Kenya
- Craft Tradition: Hand-fabricated brass and horn work
- Ideal For: Someone who wants a graphic, lightweight statement earring for everyday wear
- Wear It With: Wear with hair pulled back to show off the drop, alongside simple stacked layers rather than competing jewelry
- Purpose: Everyday wear, layering, gifting, statement dressing
- Metal: Brass
Questions & Answers
What is the horn tip made from, and is it real horn?
Yes, the black tips are natural horn, sourced and finished by hand in Kenya, which is why grain and sheen vary slightly from pair to pair.
How do I put these earrings in?
Slide the fine end of the threader wire straight through your earlobe from front to back; the brass cone and horn tip will settle against the front of the ear and hang freely.
Are these good for sensitive ears?
The earwire is brass, so if you're sensitive to base metals you may want to check your own tolerance, as brass isn't hypoallergenic in the way niobium or titanium are.
How should I clean and store them?
Wipe with a dry, soft cloth after wear and keep the horn tips away from water, lotion, and humid environments, which can dull or damage the horn over time.
Will the brass tarnish?
Brass can develop a soft patina over time with air exposure; a gentle polish with a dry cloth will bring back its brushed shine.
