Clay filter with design of fish Fatimid dynasty (969–1171), 11th–12th century

This ceramic clay filter with a design of fish, now at the Art Institute of Chicago, presents us with a captivating blend of form and function. The circular shape immediately draws the eye, containing within it a symmetrical design of two fish facing opposite directions. The artist's careful carving reveals a network of negative space—holes and lattice-like patterns—creating a visual texture that both defines the fish and serves a practical purpose. The choice of material, humble clay, speaks to the artwork's utilitarian origins, yet the intricate design elevates it beyond mere functionality. Consider the semiotic implications of the fish motif, often associated with abundance and fertility in various cultures. Here, the image is transformed into a structural element that challenges the boundaries between art and craft, inviting us to reconsider fixed categories and embrace the fluid interplay of form and symbol.