Bead in the Shape of a Tiger c. 501 - 800

This bead in the shape of a tiger was made by an anonymous artist, and is now located at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Crafted from a piece of greenstone, the carving is a simple representation of a tiger, captured in a moment of rest or repose. What’s fascinating about this tiny sculpture is the way its maker has worked with a very unforgiving material. Stone carving is subtractive, and each cut or abrasion requires careful planning. I imagine the artist starting with a slightly larger piece, then using a variety of tools to abrade and polish the material until this small creature emerged. The social significance of such a bead is hard to determine, given its anonymous origins. But we can imagine that it would have been a prized possession, whether worn as a sign of status, or carried as an emblem of personal identity. It's a reminder that even the smallest objects can carry great cultural weight, and be testament to the skill of their makers.