Onderstok van parapluie of parasol van gekleurd berkenhout met knoestige, rechte haak van gekleurd, warrig esdoorn(?) c. 1920 - 1940

This umbrella handle was made out of colored birch and maple by Gustav Schnitzler. It's the kind of object that shows the artist really thinking through the process of artmaking. I mean, look at that curve. It’s a simple gesture, a hook, but it transforms the piece. The texture of the wood is so tactile. You can almost feel the roughness, the grain. It brings a certain earthiness, a connection to the natural world. The colors are muted, subtle, but they add depth and character. It’s like Schnitzler is letting the material speak for itself. It reminds me a bit of some of Martin Puryear’s sculptures, that same focus on craftsmanship and material, but with a touch of whimsy. It's proof that art can be found in the everyday, in the things we often overlook. It's about seeing potential in the mundane, and transforming it into something beautiful and thought-provoking.