Parasolknop of parapluknop van hout, versierd met in het hout gekerfde lieveheersbeestjes c. 1920

Editor: Here we have a carved wooden parasol knob from around 1920, artist unknown, showcasing folk art. It's delightful, whimsical almost, with that ladybug carving! How do you interpret the symbolism in a piece like this? Curator: Well, the ladybug is particularly interesting. Across cultures, the ladybug symbolizes good luck, protection, and even transformation. In this context, on a parasol handle, it might act as a small, almost talismanic emblem, imbuing the everyday object with positive energy. The wood grain itself, with those vertical carvings, are they evocative of nature's steadfastness? Editor: That's fascinating. I hadn't considered the protective aspect, but it fits. I was also wondering about the floral motifs painted around the rims. Do you see them playing a particular role? Curator: Ah, the florals! I think the use of floral imagery combined with the ladybug suggests a harmonious relationship between nature and domestic life. A yearning for a simpler, agrarian existence perhaps. Were the flowers carefully selected? Is there knowledge being passed on from generation to generation encoded in plain sight? Editor: Possibly! It makes me think about how much meaning can be embedded even in objects we often overlook. Thanks, that gives me a lot to consider. Curator: And for me as well! It’s always surprising where such reflection leads to.