Ladle c. 20th century

This ladle was made by the Haudenosaunee, or Iroquois people, and you can see it there in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It is just wood, but they made something so incredibly special. The spoon is a beautiful beige color, but it's not just plain wood. It has a depth to it. See how the grain of the wood swirls around the handle like a topographic map, it has these darker knots that are like secrets held within the wood. And the head of the ladle, with its little dotted eyes, it's like they're watching you, inviting you into a story. The texture is smooth but not too perfect, you can feel the hand of the maker, the process of carving and shaping. It's warm and inviting, like a piece of nature that has been carefully transformed. It reminds me of some of the early folk artists and woodworkers who used simple materials to create objects of great beauty and utility. It invites you to slow down, connect with the earth, and appreciate the simple things.