Dipper or Ladle with Interlocking Zigzag and Step-Fret Designs Possibly 1000 - 1300

This ceramic dipper with interlocking designs was made by the Ancestral Pueblo people. The stark contrast of the black geometric patterns against the pale clay creates a visual dynamism, evoking both a sense of order and a playful complexity. The interlocking zigzag and step-fret designs are not merely decorative. They are structured visual elements, where the repetition and variation create a semiotic system. The zigzag may signify water or the path of lightning, while the step-fret can represent mountains or ascending paths. The patterns are arranged to interact with the form of the dipper, enhancing its three-dimensionality. The handle is designed with continuous zigzags, while the bowl features a radial arrangement of step-fret motifs emanating from the center. These patterns not only serve an aesthetic purpose, but also communicate deeper cultural and philosophical concepts, connecting the object to the natural world. These signs continue to invite interpretation and reflection.