Covered Bowl with abstract and geometric pattern c. 7th - 8th century

Editor: Here we have a Covered Bowl with an abstract and geometric pattern, likely dating from the 7th to 8th century. The artist is unknown, but the bowl is made of ceramic and currently resides at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The textured surface almost gives the bowl a sense of quiet solemnity. What can you tell me about how society influenced an object like this? Curator: Well, its very existence speaks to established social structures. Pottery production of this era would have been a specialized craft, indicating a level of societal organization and division of labor. Its decoration points towards a shared cultural understanding of symbolism, whether for ritual or status. Where and how would people have been using pieces such as this at that time? Editor: I imagine it had some special status. You wouldn't put just anything in a lidded container that required this much specialized work. What was pottery's role as a historical communicator during this era? Curator: Exactly! The motifs and techniques, as well as the form itself, offer valuable insight into trade routes, technological advancements, and even belief systems. This piece exists in a fascinating space, where an item made of the earth attains significance in the development of culture. It speaks to the power of objects in shaping the society around it. Does understanding this influence your initial read of the piece? Editor: Definitely. It gives me a deeper appreciation for the bowl, knowing that something functional could reflect so much about the culture that produced it. Curator: Absolutely. When considering art as a historical artifact, even everyday objects offer valuable narratives about those that came before us. We can view this bowl as so much more than functional or purely decorative.