Week 3 Readings

1. A toolkit: Motif → Layout → Meaning

What you will learn this week

By the end of Week 3, you will be able to:

• describe decorative motifs and layout clearly (what you can see)

• distinguish symbol, pattern, and story scene

• write a short interpretation that stays cautious and respectful

Real-world lens (why this matters)

Museum labels, auction catalogues, and exhibition texts often rely on short, dense descriptions. If you can read decoration clearly, you can:

• communicate professionally about ceramics

• compare objects without needing advanced dates

• avoid common mistakes like “mystical guessing” or cultural stereotypes