Bowl with Radiating Striped Bands and Triangles and Interlocking Zigzag on Exterior Possibly 1300 - 1400

Curator: Look at this fascinating bowl, a piece of Salado earthenware dating back to possibly between 1300 and 1400. It's called "Bowl with Radiating Striped Bands and Triangles and Interlocking Zigzag on Exterior". The piece resides here at The Art Institute of Chicago. Editor: It’s quite striking. My first impression is of dynamism, a real sense of movement created by the radiating and interlocking patterns. It has an earthy feel, doesn't it? Grounded, yet full of energy. Curator: Exactly! That dynamism probably held symbolic importance for the Salado people. Geometric designs often served as more than mere decoration; they represented elements of the cosmos, natural forces, or even societal structures. The zigzag motif, for example, is often associated with water or lightning in various Indigenous cultures. Editor: It’s interesting to consider how something as simple as a bowl could carry so much cultural information. Looking at it from a historical perspective, it’s a tangible connection to the past, a way for us to understand the beliefs and values of a society that existed centuries ago. I wonder where it was originally found and who may have used it? Curator: Archaeological evidence suggests Salado pottery like this was traded extensively. This suggests these vessels may have held significant economic and social value in facilitating trade relations between communities. As to the vessel's specific function, everyday or ceremonial usage can't be discerned with any great degree of certainty at this remove. The symbols do seem to hold a powerful weight. I agree. The geometric representation is striking and compelling; the motifs evoke universal patterns recognizable on a deeply visceral level. Editor: Right. It makes you ponder the role of these geometric forms throughout different cultures, and in human art, in general. Curator: Well, considering the object's historical place and potential cultural ties, the visual elements still provide avenues for the past and present to touch in our memories. Editor: Agreed. Thinking about the context has given me a fresh outlook for it. Curator: I see the history differently, but understanding both gives insight. It's quite compelling.