In South America among some Amazonian tribes, young males traditionally have their lips pierced and begin to wear plates when they enter the men's house and leave the world of women.
Lip plates there are associated with oratory and singing.
The largest plates are worn by the greatest orators and war chiefs, such as Chief Raoni of the Kayapo tribe, a well known environmental campaigner.
In South America, lip plates are nearly always made from light wood.

In the Pacific Northwest of North America, labrets have a long history of use, dating back at least five thousand years.
At times they were used by both men and women, but in more recent times (e.g. 19th century) were associated with exclusive use by high ranking women.

Among the Haida, Tsimshian, and Tlingit, were once used by women to symbolize social maturity by indicating a girl's eligibility to be a wife.
The installation of a girl's first plate was celebrated with a sumptuous feast.

In western nations, some young people, including some members of the Modern Primitive movement, have adopted larger-gauge lip piercings, a few large enough for them to wear proper lip plates.
Some examples are given on the BME website.
In South America among some Amazonian tribes, young males traditionally have their lips pierced and begin to wear plates when they enter the men's house and leave the world of women. Lip plates there are associated with oratory and singing. The largest plates are worn by the greatest orators and war chiefs, such as Chief Raoni of the Kayapo tribe, a well known environmental campaigner. In South America, lip plates are nearly always made from light wood.
In the Pacific Northwest of North America, labrets have a long history of use, dating back at least five thousand years. At times they were used by both men and women, but in more recent times (e.g. 19th century) were associated with exclusive use by high ranking women. 
Among the Haida, Tsimshian, and Tlingit, were once used by women to symbolize social maturity by indicating a girl's eligibility to be a wife. The installation of a girl's first plate was celebrated with a sumptuous feast.
In western nations, some young people, including some members of the Modern Primitive movement, have adopted larger-gauge lip piercings, a few large enough for them to wear proper lip plates. Some examples are given on the BME website.
Lip plate