Handvat van zwart hoorn, balustervormig, gebogen c. 1900 - 1930

This handle, carved from black horn by Gelria, has a baluster shape and a gentle curve. I wonder how long it took to produce it? What was the artist thinking as they carved? I am drawn to its texture, the way the light catches on its polished surface and the ridges at its base. There is an almost haptic invitation to grasp it. It has a lovely, ergonomic form, as if inviting you to place your palm, and I think it relates to other sculptural forms that invite touch. This handle becomes a tool, a means of extending oneself into the world with confidence, but also, a way to assist us on our journey, offering support and balance. It's a testament to the artist's ability to transform material into a functional, beautiful object. What a legacy of usefulness!