Jacket c. 1920

Editor: This is an embroidered jacket, dating from around 1920, currently held at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It’s a beautiful example of textile art, but there's something about the repeating patterns that's very mesmerizing. What symbolic significance do you see embedded within it? Curator: It's fascinating, isn't it? Notice how the overall symmetry invites a particular gaze and consideration. Garments like this aren’t simply about covering the body. The patterns feel deliberate, almost like coded messages, recalling symbols of status, identity, or even spiritual belief, depending on their cultural context. Does anything strike you as familiar or resonant in the ornamentation itself? Editor: I'm struck by the teardrop shapes and how they’re repeated, clustered, and emphasized so prominently. Are these shapes specifically significant or commonly seen in textile art of the time? Curator: Teardrop shapes in various cultures can signify different things – tears of sorrow, certainly, but also seeds of potential or even the essence of life. The jacket might come from a culture where water is especially sacred. The key is considering how this imagery would be understood by those who created and originally wore it. Perhaps for them, these patterns resonated with long-held stories or societal values. It's a rich field for exploration! Editor: That’s so interesting, how symbols can mean different things. It really opens up the possibility of deeper interpretations, I hadn’t considered before. Thank you for sharing your insight! Curator: Indeed. By decoding symbols, we begin to understand what earlier generations valued and remembered. I've enjoyed our talk!