Ear-ring,

Ear-ring, a ring suspended from the ear, which is bored for the purpose, a mode of adorning the person which has always been practised by Orientals, by both sexes among the Persians, Babylonians, Lydians, Libyans, and Carthaginians. They were always worn by the Greek women, from Hera in the Iliad down to the Venus de Medici, whose ears are pierced for the reception of ear-rings. Pliny tells us that there was no part of dress on which greater expense was lavished amongst the Romans. Many Egyptian ear-rings of very beautiful design have been preserved, and these antique designs have often been imitated in modern times. During the reigns of Elizabeth and James I., ear-rings were worn in England by men, a custom which is still continued by many sailors. Otherwise, at the present day in England and the United States they are worn only by women. The ears are bored usually at about seven years of age. The boring is still popularly believed to be a valuable remedy in cases of sore eyes, by producing counter-irritation. This idea, however, is without satisfactory evidence in its support, and certainly there are much more efficient and beneficial methods of producing the desired effect.