Persian Berries 

Editor: Here we have Persian Berries, manufactured by Geo. Rowney & Co., held at the Harvard Art Museums. The arrangement of these berries on the glass plate is intriguing, they look like seeds of knowledge. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The berries themselves, irrespective of species, evoke a sense of cultural memory. Consider the use of berries in dyes, inks, medicines—each carrying symbolic weight, connecting us to practices of the past. Are they a symbol of abundance, of healing, or perhaps something else entirely? Editor: That’s a fascinating way to look at it. I hadn't considered their use beyond the visual aspect. Curator: Perhaps, then, the image prompts us to consider the unseen connections between materials, practices, and cultural meanings that shape our world. Editor: I now have a newfound appreciation for how art objects encapsulate hidden stories.