Necklace c. 20th century

This necklace, maker unknown, sits patiently on display here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I find myself wondering about the hands that strung each shell disc and metal cylinder together to form this continuous loop. It’s beautiful in its simplicity: the earthy tones of the shell, punctuated by the cool gleam of the metal. I imagine the artist carefully selecting each piece, considering its texture and weight, then patiently piecing it all together. What were they thinking about as they worked? There’s a rhythm to the pattern, a quiet repetition that feels almost meditative, like counting beads on a rosary. You can almost hear the click of the shells as they settle into place. It reminds me of the jewelry my grandmother used to wear – each piece a little story, a tangible memory. Like a painter layering strokes, this artist built something meaningful, one bead at a time. We create in the image of those who came before us; each action, each piece, resonates with the past.