round earrings

Serving as spiritual leaders as well as porters, tatas were an important part of ancient Mayan culture. El Salvador's Oscar Rodolfo Mendoza creates this Mayan tata mask, which is handcrafted from ceramic and painted by hand with natural brown and red pigments derived from the achiote plant. The tata wears face paint, a spotted headdress, and round earrings. A nylon cord on the back allows this mask to be hung on a wall.

Rounded beads of soapstone in hues of brown and green are accompanied by reddish-brown bauxite for an earthy vibe in this pair of dangle earrings. Inspired by the love she shares with her daughters, Ghana's Rachel Armah transmits her vision into these earrings, hanging the stones on brass hooks.