Yakima Pony Beaded Moccasins - circa 1850 to 1860 - formerly in the collection Southern Oregon Historical Society. Only known extant example.

Minimalist Masterpiece

In our previous update “Abstraction before Kandinsky” we identified a number of ancient gallery objects rooted in abstract forms. Some of these pieces show a departure from “reality” in the depiction of imagery. Other works, in their color, shape, size, scale or process, emphasize these intrinsic qualities, rather than outside reference or narrative. All of those works embody aspects of what in our own time has become associated with an abstract aesthetic.

Today we are pleased to present a masterpiece of minimalism, a pair of 19^th century Yakima moccasins, these predating by a hundred years the concept in the art of the 1960’s.   (Read More)