Neck Buckle 1935 - 1942

Curator: At first glance, these watercolor drawings on paper evoke a certain quaintness. Editor: Indeed. We're looking at an illustration created by Charles Criswell, titled "Neck Buckle," and the artwork dates from between 1935 and 1942. The pairing of identical blue buckles against the cream background paper is quite striking in its simplicity. Curator: I’m struck by how utilitarian yet ornamental these buckles appear. Consider the historical context of this design being created between the mid-30's and early 40's; it reflects shifts in both manufacturing processes and consumption patterns during the later stages of the depression. What do you make of it? Editor: Formally, the image compels observation. Note the rounded rectangular shape of the buckles, repeated identically, save a very few watercolor irregularities around the edges of the illustration that hint to an authentic gesture from the maker's hand. Then observe how the dots contrast along with their sharp geometry within their defined borders. A delicate balance, I'd argue. Curator: Absolutely. And if we think about these details in terms of production—these details may reflect how design blueprints are made in industry! One also may see class implications within the objects given fashion trends were beginning their integration within department stores at the time of their creation, too. Editor: That's fascinating. You bring into sharp focus how deeply these modest forms are ingrained within larger processes. Now that I give the illustrations a second look, I notice their simplicity speaks to the essential quality that makes buckles functional and thus aesthetically necessary for the clothes or materials that it clasps around; it reflects both minimalist refinement while achieving a high functional utility—or at least the illusion of it due to its painted quality! Curator: Precisely. This piece beautifully highlights the fusion of design and social consciousness, subtly reflecting how material culture evolves under specific conditions. Editor: Well, I now walk away with a deeper sense of material intention from what initially appeared to be nothing more than the visual properties of this artifact of functional use, a Neck Buckle. Curator: As do I. Thanks for helping illuminate some fascinating nuances about class and manufacturing here.