Storage Jar (Olla) Possibly 1150 - 1300

This storage jar, or olla, was crafted by the Ancestral Pueblo people, adorned with striking geometric patterns. Notice the prominent spirals, motifs of perpetual motion and life's cyclical journey, mirroring the ever-turning wheel of seasons, and the constant return to a central point, a form of continuous creation. Spirals are not unique to this culture. In ancient Greek art, the meander pattern, a linear spiral, symbolizes infinity and unity. Think of the labyrinth, a spiraling maze that holds the Minotaur, a powerful symbol of inner turmoil and discovery. The spiral, a universal symbol across time, evokes profound emotions of continuity and the search for meaning. Here, in this jar, the spirals create an emotional echo, connecting the Ancestral Pueblo's worldview to our own subconscious understanding of life’s rhythms. The spiral's resurgence throughout history underscores its power to resonate, adapt, and reflect humanity's shared experiences and collective memory.