Bowl c. 1450

This bowl was crafted in ancient Cyprus, its pale surface adorned with a simple yet evocative design. The grid-like patterns wrapped around the vessel remind us of the warp and weft of fabric, and the basic geometry of early building. Such patterns echo across cultures and centuries, from the decorations on neolithic pottery to the facades of modern buildings. The impulse to impose order on chaos, to create a framework for life, is a fundamental aspect of the human psyche. This bowl, with its unassuming ornamentation, serves as a poignant reminder of how basic forms can carry profound cultural and psychological weight. Its creation is a powerful act, an attempt to impose meaning and order on the world. Its enduring presence invites us to contemplate the cyclical nature of human creativity and the persistence of primal patterns across time.