Earplug c. 15th century

Editor: So, this is an "Earplug" from around the 15th century, currently held at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It’s anonymous, but crafted from ceramic… the object is pretty small, right? What really strikes me is how utilitarian it seems, almost humble. How do you interpret this piece? Curator: Well, the materiality itself is key. We see here ceramic formed into a common, practical item, but consider the labour involved in extracting and processing the clay, the skill in shaping it so precisely. It speaks to the division of labor inherent in craft production. Editor: Right, I see what you mean! It makes me wonder who made it, and under what conditions? Was it a specialist artisan, or someone producing these for personal or local use? Curator: Precisely! And thinking materially, the availability of suitable clay in that region would've been crucial. Did this material shape cultural practices related to sound and noise? Did the availability influence craft practices? Also, consider its social context - what roles did this item play within the lives of its users and within broader systems of trade and exchange? Editor: It’s fascinating to think about the material origins dictating usage. Almost like the object and clay participated in a dialogue… And considering it as a tool to muffle noise in what were most likely crowded workshops could reveal about the socio-economic aspects, too? Curator: Exactly. So, considering all that, is this merely a functional object, or is there inherent artistic merit in the craftsmanship, in the ways it reflects and shapes social practice and material circumstances? Where do we draw that line? Editor: This changed how I perceive simple objects...it brings forth material stories of how it became "art." Thank you for sharing your knowledge and point of view! Curator: Likewise! Examining the processes that shape the world around us provides a profound approach to understanding cultural production.