Shoulder cloth c. 1950

This striking shoulder cloth, made by an anonymous artist, is a textile of unknown date. What grabs me first is the raw materiality. The central panel of plain weave contrasts with the richly patterned end bands, like a quiet pause before a burst of visual energy. The woven patterns, full of geometric shapes and stylized animal forms, are mesmerizing. I can almost feel the maker's hands at work, carefully interlacing each thread, building up these intricate designs. Look at how the colors play off each other: the deep blacks and reds against the softer greys and browns. The textures, too, offer so much to explore. This piece reminds me of Anni Albers, in its exploration of texture and form. Ultimately, this shoulder cloth invites us to contemplate art as a process and appreciate the depth of the human imagination.