Short Sword 1920 - 1940

This short sword was made by Lobala and is now housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The rough, textured surface of this weapon isn’t hidden, it’s right there on display. It gives the piece a kind of brutal honesty, like it's not trying to be anything other than what it is: a tool, an object made for a specific purpose. Look at the end of the blade; the crescent shape gives a totally different feel to the weapon. It moves it away from pure function and closer to something symbolic, or even playful. It reminds me of some of the art of Martin Puryear, an American sculptor known for his abstract organic forms, that also speak to beauty and brutality. This sword is not just about sharp edges and force, it’s about the conversation between form and function, the dance between intention and execution. It is a reminder that art, in any form, can hold multiple meanings, inviting us to see the world in unexpected ways.