Handvat van hout, voor een paraplu of parasol, met knop van been c. 1910 - 1920

This umbrella handle, made of wood and bone by Gustav Schnitzler, is a reminder that even functional objects can be beautiful. The pale wood has vertical striations – maybe it’s bamboo? – and that simple hole is a mark of connection. It speaks to a larger mechanism, something meant to open, close, shelter, protect. I love the way the bone caps bookend the wood, offering a cool contrast in texture and tone. It's interesting to consider how the maker engages with the material, allowing the grain of the wood to guide the form. A minimalist like Agnes Martin comes to mind. It’s that sense of quiet labor, a steady, meditative practice. In our chaotic world, there’s something grounding about seeing this object, imagining its creation, its purpose, its place in someone's daily life. It feels complete without being loud.