Belt c. 20th century

This belt was made by an anonymous artist, we don't know when, but it lives here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The approach to pattern-making is so considered, so careful, it gives the sense of a deep, contemplative process, the maker lost in the rhythm of the beads. I'm drawn to the material aspect, the sheer physicality of those tiny glass beads. You can imagine the texture, the cool smoothness against the skin. And the colours! The way the reds and golds in the floral motifs pop against the ivory ground. The fringe at the bottom is interesting, these delicate beaded strands dance with every movement. It makes me think of Sheila Hicks and her explorations of textile as sculpture. This piece transcends its function. It's not just a belt, it's a conversation, a story woven in glass.