Socorro Jar c. 12th century

This Socorro Jar, crafted by an anonymous artist, presents us with a form that speaks volumes through its simplicity. The horizontal lines encircling the jar are not mere decoration; they echo the cyclical nature of life. Consider the ancient Egyptian depictions of the serpent, Ouroboros, devouring its own tail, or the endless knot in Buddhist iconography. The repetition of these lines evokes an emotional connection to the infinite. Perhaps, the maker sought to capture the eternal return, an unconscious desire to find order in the cosmos. The humble jar, therefore, becomes more than a vessel. It's a canvas where the collective memory of humankind intertwines with the individual experience of creation, a testament to the enduring power of symbols across cultures and time.