Rol met crème zijden satijnlint c. 1925

This roll of cream-colored silk satin ribbon, crafted by Gustav Schnitzler, is more than just a simple object; it is a relic imbued with cultural significance. Consider the circular shape: the Ouroboros, an ancient symbol of a serpent eating its own tail, embodies the cyclical nature of existence, endlessly renewing. The simple circle represents a sense of completeness and the infinite, as well as continuation and self-sufficiency. Think of the halos of saints, or the cosmic diagrams that attempt to depict the universe. In contrast, the cool, smooth satin speaks of luxury and status, reminiscent of the attire of renaissance aristocrats who flaunted their social standing through meticulously chosen garments. In those paintings the fabrics were more than just protection; they were a projection of power and control. The ribbon, fixed in its circular form, echoes the eternal return, a reminder of how symbols evolve, adapt, and resurface through human history.