Onderstok van parasol of parapluie van bamboe met ronde haak, versierd met zilverkleurig uiteinde en ring c. 1920 - 1940

Curator: This is the lower part, or the “onderstok”, of a bamboo parasol or umbrella, crafted sometime between 1920 and 1940. Note the round hook and the silver-toned detailing at the ends. It's currently held in the Rijksmuseum collection. Editor: Its leanness strikes me immediately. Such simplicity, the singular, almost severe line broken only by the curve at its base. There's a powerful sense of restrained functionality, almost Shaker-like in its pared-down essence. Curator: I'm interested in what that "curve" suggests to you. The crook shape inherently possesses comforting archetypes. It brings to mind images of a shepherd’s staff, a symbol of guidance and protection, echoing familiar religious iconography, even if it is simply the lower end of a parasol. Editor: Intriguing thought. I suppose, even stripped of the umbrella itself, the object retains that echo of authority or gentle dominance. It still directs. What really arrests my eye, however, is the contrast of the bamboo itself—that subtle warmth—against the cool glint of the metallic accents. A play of textures and values. Curator: Yes, it's that visual contrast, and, importantly, the tension, that catches our interest. We read it at both tactile and cultural levels. In certain Asian traditions, the circle is a sacred form – a sign of the limitless. Bamboo too is seen as a symbol of resilience and flexibility. In some cultural contexts it's even associated with scholarly attributes and grace. The umbrella, beyond protection, became associated with status in many societies, from east to west. Editor: Exactly. Status rendered beautifully in the elegance of materials. Consider how deftly the artisan balanced the natural and artificial, achieving a harmonious design unity through surface qualities alone. I’m thinking now about how this simplicity and unity lends itself to different symbolic frameworks depending on individual perceptions. Curator: Agreed, there's a visual richness here that reflects deeper histories and cultural resonances – narratives quietly embedded within its construction. Editor: And these narratives persist. Its physical form becomes secondary to the values it transmits. Curator: Precisely. Now I wonder what sort of handle would have graced the other end of it. Editor: Another investigation, for another time!