Sugar hammer c. 20th century

This striking Sugar Hammer was crafted by an unknown Tuareg artist at an unknown date. It's currently held in the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art. I’m trying to imagine the artisan who made it. Where did they learn their craft? What was their life like? The hammer is made from smooth, cool metal, like a prop from a sci-fi movie. Its surface reflects light, drawing you in for a closer look. The details are incredible, and the designs appear to be etched with a purpose, carrying a feeling of identity and place. The hammer's shape—the handle, the head, the decorative embellishments—suggests a functional object elevated to the level of art, like a celebration of the everyday. I think of artists like Marcel Duchamp, who found beauty in mundane objects, challenging our notions of what art could be. This hammer does that. It asks us to consider the potential for artistry in the most unexpected places.