Head- and Tail-pieces c. 16th century

Curator: This work is entitled "Head- and Tail-pieces" by an unknown artist, presently housed in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: The intricate knotwork gives a sense of ancient, almost primordial order. Curator: Interlaced designs like these evoke the infinite, speaking to cycles of life, death, and rebirth. They are deeply rooted in various cultural memories. Editor: Right, these kinds of ornamental motifs often served to literally frame and contain narratives, acting as powerful visual signifiers of tradition. I wonder what stories they accompanied? Curator: Perhaps stories of resilience and continuity, since these patterns persist across vast stretches of time and geography. They show us connection. Editor: Thinking about how this design punctuates an absent narrative, it invites us to consider the stories that remain untold, the voices that haven't been heard. Curator: Indeed, the art historical record is full of absences, but symbolic forms like this offer glimpses of the past. Editor: So much to unpack here!