Olla (vessel) c. late 1920s - 1930s

This Olla, or vessel, of unknown date, was crafted by an anonymous artist. Look closely at the surface. You’ll notice a limited palette—earthy browns, off-whites, and a muted red—but the interplay of these colors creates something really vibrant. The designs are bold, mostly geometric shapes, but softened by hand-made imperfections. I’m especially drawn to the large, central floral motif with the petals outlined in white, set against that red ground. It's perfectly imperfect. Like a lot of art, there’s a fascinating tension between precision and spontaneity, control and chance. The piece reminds me a little of some of the work by Lucie Rie, in its exploration of form and its deep connection to the earth. Ultimately, this vessel invites us to appreciate the beauty in simplicity and the power of art to connect us to each other.