The artists of Panama have created some of the most beautiful and intriguing abstract art in any medium anywhere. Unlike contemporary artists they were not concerned with the significance of abstraction, but with a symbolic intent that is more important than aesthetic effect. The incredible swirling patterns of Cocle art are essentially based on a system of duality, of opposites turning and twisting in antagonistic forces, eventually coming together into a unified whole. This "union of opposites" can be interpreted as the male and female energies, diametrically opposed, and yet eventually uniting in order to procreate life. This lovely bowl appears to be from the stylistic period known as Macaracas, which made its appearance around 800 A.D. It is characterized by patterns in red, black and purple on a white/buff background. The design on this particular bowl does not merely fill the space, it expands the entire surface area, oscillating a dynamic energy with hypnotic effect; drawing the eyes in and around in never ending motion. The two opposing heads have definite Saurian characteristics. Either lizard or alligator, their bodies are composed of straight lines and triangles, curving along the sides into tails drawn in a zig-zag pattern. What we are seeing is something that is perfect, like a flower or an intricate leaf; alive, vibrant, and ever changing within its own universe. - (PF.4031)