Bead in the Shape of a Fish c. 501 - 800

Curator: Here we have an ancient treasure—a bead in the shape of a fish. It's believed to have been crafted sometime between 501 and 800 AD. Look at that! It resides here with us at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Editor: My first thought? It looks…slippery. I mean that in the best way! That gentle, translucent green makes you think of deep water, doesn't it? Curator: It does, almost like sea glass worn smooth by the ages. Though a bit abstracted, one could appreciate its simple composition, the subtle contouring defining its fish-like form, fins and all! I wonder about the people who might have worn this little fish, the world they inhabited. Editor: Exactly! Because for them, a seemingly simple piece of jewelry almost certainly carried complex symbolism. Fish feature prominently in various cultures as symbols of fertility, abundance, and even spiritual transformation. Was this perhaps connected to water deities or a symbol of their livelihood? Curator: Very likely! It's interesting to consider what this object meant within that broader cultural landscape. How its meaning shifted depending on the wearer - a humble fisher or an exalted priest perhaps. Imagine wearing such a symbol. It could be something quite magical. I'm always awed when standing before testaments of human survival and persistence. Editor: Yes, I love thinking of its materiality too. It feels grounded somehow, almost like a fossil itself! A constant, tiny reminder of natural cycles and the ebb and flow of life, if you will, as a powerful undercurrent rippling beneath their every action, choice and hope for future. Curator: So beautifully said! You are so right, there is this sense of groundedness, or rootedness, with this particular object. And so here, suspended in time, this small bead in the shape of a fish offers a tiny glimpse into an ancient world, whispering tales of life, belief, and enduring artistry. Editor: Right. As an activist, the object almost embodies ideas of fluidity, both of form and being, it reminds us of the power of symbols, yes, but the real power comes from recognizing we all have more in common than we think.