Pin or pendant c. 20th century

Curator: Here we have a "Pin or pendant," dating from around the 20th century, and residing here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It's described as a mixed-media assemblage featuring silver. What are your initial impressions? Editor: It's striking, like a miniaturized deity. The symmetry, the use of varied stones – turquoise, coral, onyx – creates this intense focal point, a symbolic presence despite its diminutive size. Curator: Indeed, it's not just its striking look; it's the way it's made. The careful arrangement of those tiny inlaid stones, secured by silver, shows tremendous skill. Each little piece had to be cut, shaped, and placed. I wonder about the labor involved, the hands that made it, and whether it was an individual effort or part of a larger workshop practice. Editor: The imagery evokes something powerful and enduring. It is very much evocative of indigenous American art, specifically referencing a mythic being. The outstretched wings, that totemic headdress – it almost seems to carry ancestral memory within it. The use of turquoise could point to concepts of protection. Curator: And let’s not overlook the economic context. Silverwork like this became a crucial source of income and cultural affirmation for many Indigenous communities during the reservation era. The raw materials, access to tools, the eventual sale or trade – these all impacted the form it ultimately took. It moves beyond simple decoration. Editor: Precisely! And the figure itself is an amalgamation, a visual language that probably held specific cultural significance, blending maybe avian and human features. The piece speaks to a cosmology, perhaps the connection between earthly and spiritual realms. The formal layout speaks to complex understanding. Curator: Thinking about the decorative arts context is key here, since indigenous communities historically didn't always have western concepts of artmaking that we consider "high art" traditions today. Function and status merge in an item that can be both beautiful, symbolic and utilitarian. Editor: I appreciate your emphasis on function, but I keep returning to the spiritual dimension embedded in this piece. There's an undeniable power in its imagery, even for those of us who may not be versed in the specifics of its cultural origin. It communicates beyond language, as icons always strive to do. Curator: It’s definitely a compelling object, a blend of intricate material work and culturally rich symbolism. Considering the maker and their intent broadens its relevance. Editor: Yes, a convergence of skillful making, enduring symbols, and a potent echo of a continuing cultural narrative.