Prestige Axe c. 20th century

This prestige axe, crafted by an anonymous artist, lives at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I think of the axe, with its silver blade and patterned handle, as something that came into being through long hours of work and intuition. I imagine the artist, carefully etching circles and lines into the silver, the concentration required, and the patience. What were they thinking about as they made each tiny mark? What kind of world did they live in? Each element feels deliberate, like a form of embodied expression. This axe isn’t just a tool; it’s a statement, a symbol of status and power. The patterns on the handle feel like a language, a code to be deciphered. The metal is cool and smooth and the wood, a deep comforting brown, creates a tactile sensation that must have been a delight to hold. We might not know the artist's name, but we can still connect with their creativity across time. The exchange of ideas through making, and the endless possibilities of transformation.