Sash c. 20th century

This sash, a small woven band of red and gold, sits in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Whoever made it, they were thinking about rhythm, about how colors and textures play off each other in a dance. Up close, you can see how the texture of the woven fibers catches the light, creating this subtle shimmer. The red and gold aren't just colors; they're physical things, twisted and turned to build the surface. It's amazing how the maker controlled the tension and density of the weave, creating a tight surface in some areas and a looser fringe at the ends. Look at how the loose ends, coming away from the structure of the sash, giving the piece a sense of movement, like hair or the edge of a flame. I'm reminded of the way Anni Albers, the textile artist, thought about weaving as a form of drawing, a way of making marks in space. Like Albers, this anonymous artist understands the power of simple materials, transformed by hand into something beautiful and meaningful. It is in a way a conversation across time, a reminder that art is always about seeing and feeling in new ways.