Lint op rol, in het midden een zwarte streep met aan weerszijden een blauwe streep die aan beide kanten is omzoomd met een afwisselend gele en zwarte streep, overdwars een witte streep before 1926

This is a roll of ribbon with black, blue, yellow, and white stripes, made by Gustav Schnitzler. Although we don't have a specific date for the artwork, the label on top of the roll suggests it was made around April 1923. At first glance, a roll of ribbon might seem like a humble object to find in the Rijksmuseum. But consider the social and economic context of the early 1920s. Europe was still recovering from the First World War, and materials were often scarce. The careful craftsmanship and attention to detail in this ribbon suggest a society that still valued quality and artistry, even in everyday objects. Looking closer, we might ask, what was this ribbon used for? Was it for clothing, decoration, or some other purpose? By researching the history of textiles and fashion in the Netherlands during this period, we can gain a deeper understanding of the role that objects like this played in people's lives. The historian's work is to contextualize objects, considering the time, place, and culture in which they were made.