Branding Iron c. 1942

Elizabeth Johnson rendered this branding iron in watercolor, capturing the essence of ownership and identity. The conjoined 'TS' symbol speaks of belonging, a claim asserted through fire and mark, reminiscent of ancient tribal tattoos or heraldic emblems. Consider how such symbols persist across time and cultures; the act of marking, of declaring dominion, echoes in the branding of livestock here, yet also in the personal seals of emperors long past. Even the very act of writing our names, a modern expression of self, carries this ancient impulse. This ‘TS’ mark, burned into hide, becomes an indelible assertion of control. It mirrors the hieroglyphs of ancient Egypt, symbols imbued with power and meaning, silently communicating complex ideas across generations. The branding iron, a tool of control, evokes deep-seated psychological associations of power and submission, control and ownership, resonating with the primal human urge to stake one’s claim. Thus, this simple branding iron transcends its practical function. It becomes a potent symbol, an emblem of our enduring quest to define and assert our place in the world.