Thread Waxing Tool 19th-20th century

This thread waxing tool, carved from wood by an anonymous hand, embodies an ancient symbol: the serpent. Its form, coiling into a spiral, echoes the cyclical nature of time and the endless process of creation and destruction. The serpent, adorned with geometric patterns, is not merely decorative. Consider the serpent's image from ancient Greece and its association with Asclepius, the god of medicine, or even earlier, its role in ancient Mesopotamian myths. The spiral, too, has appeared in ancient cultures, from the Celtic world to the Minoan civilization. These motifs surface throughout art history, often imbued with symbolic weight that reflects humanity’s deepest fears and aspirations. Their presence speaks to the subconscious forces shaping artistic expression, and taps into our collective memory. This little tool, therefore, is more than just a functional object; it’s a vessel of cultural memory, echoing through the ages.