Sash Date Unknown

This beaded sash, now at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, displays motifs rich with symbolic weight. Note the crosses, ubiquitous symbols across cultures, here perhaps echoing celestial or spiritual connections. Consider how similar cruciform shapes appear in ancient cosmological maps, marking cardinal directions, or how they serve as the foundation for mandalas representing the universe in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. The motif of the cross finds its echoes in countless spiritual and cultural contexts. What we see in this sash is not merely decoration, but a profound attempt to engage with fundamental ideas about the cosmos, spirituality, and identity. It's a testament to the enduring power of symbols to transcend time and connect us to the deepest layers of human experience.