Belt c. early 20th century

This purple belt was made by an anonymous artist, we don’t know when. I just love how the whole thing seems to be about layering and detail, like a complex knot of intentions. I like the way the purple cord loops back on itself, creating these simple curves. It’s got a simple and direct rhythm. But then you look at the ends, and it all kicks off! There are these amazing tassels, with different textures. Strands of purple thread hang like tiny waterfalls, mixing with little bursts of gold that suggest movement and ornamentation. I’m reminded of Hilma af Klint. She was working around the same time, making abstract paintings that she thought of as maps of inner space. But while Klint was dealing with the cosmos, this artist seems more interested in the small, intimate details of daily life.