22 December 2009

Object #9 Indian Back Scratcher


I have a simple philosophy: Fill what's empty. Empty what's full. Scratch where it itches.
-Alice Roosevelt Longworth (1884-1980)











I imagine this once belonging to a gentleman in Jaisalamier, perhaps it lay at his side as he sat lazily in the summer bedroom of his haveli. As a merchant perhaps he brought it with him as he traveled by caravan transporting goods across the Thar Desert. The small knife to peel a fruit after a long day on the camel, the skewer to brown some piece of lamb over the fire.

The palm of the hand with long lines of wealth and health and the pinky finger with a ring.