Metrage zwarte chenille-franje c. 1920

This black chenille fringe was made by Gustav Schnitzler, and sits in the Rijksmuseum’s collection. It's an example of how even the smallest, most functional objects can have an inherent beauty, a visual rhythm created by the maker’s hand. The dense, tactile quality of this fringe, almost like stubby tentacles, is what draws me in. Each strand is a little different, slightly wonky, not quite perfect. Look how the light catches on the raised sections of the chenille giving depth and a soft shimmer to the dark material. There's a real sense of weight, and also a feeling of something vaguely gothic or theatrical. It reminds me of the work of the fibre artist Sheila Hicks, who also elevates the everyday materials of textiles into something extraordinary. Ultimately this piece shows how something simple can be incredibly rich and evocative.