Shaker Comb and Case c. 1941

Editor: This is "Shaker Comb and Case" from around 1941 by Orville Cline, rendered in watercolor. I’m immediately struck by its miniature quality, both in the subject matter and the light pencil work. How would you interpret this work? Curator: Well, for me, it’s the quiet focus on a mundane object – a comb, a humble tool for personal grooming, encased in handcrafted wood. Look at the careful rendering of the wood grain. This isn’t just representation; it’s about valuing the labor involved in production. Consider the Shakers, who held utilitarian items and handcraftsmanship to a spiritual level. Cline seems interested in the process and the social context here, not in traditional aesthetics. What do you make of the material quality? Editor: That’s interesting, I didn’t immediately think about the Shaker commitment to craft! The material quality, particularly of the wooden case, does give it a sense of…intentionality. It doesn’t feel mass-produced at all, but considered. Do you think Cline is elevating the everyday? Curator: Precisely! He’s challenging traditional boundaries, asking us to see beauty not in grand subjects but in the tools of everyday life, and to value the labour and materials that go into making them. It's not just about the object, but the making of it. What implications might Cline be drawing by focusing on what's handmade rather than mass-produced items? Editor: It almost feels like a quiet resistance against increasing industrialization. Like a celebration of handmade craftsmanship? Curator: Yes, exactly. And isn't it fascinating that something so simple, through this lens, speaks volumes about craft and social value? It’s less about ‘high art’ and more about appreciating material culture. Editor: This really reframes how I see it; I’ll definitely look at seemingly simple works with much more attention now. Curator: Me too! This approach reveals unexpected dimensions in familiar forms.