Labret

A lip plug or ornament inserted in an incision in the lower lip, often made of shell, bone, ivory, metal, stone, wood, or pottery. Sometimes a succession would be worn, each larger than the predecessor. Labrets indicated the eminence of the wearer, e.g. women of high rank of the northwest coast of North America. Although styles vary and labrets were particularly popular in Mesoamerica, they occur in artifact inventories from the Arctic to the Andies.

A decorative plug inserted into a ready-made incision in the lower lip, like earrings in pierced ears. Although styles vary and labrets were particularly popular in Mesoamerica, they occur in artefact inventories from the Arctic to the Andes. They are made from almost any material that is suitably hard, including stone, bone, metal and pottery.