Week 1 Readings
5. Your first “mini catalogue entry”
The skill: a mini catalogue entry (150–220 words)
A catalogue entry is a professional format used in museums, collections, exhibitions, and portfolios.
This week you will produce a beginner version:
Template
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Object type (what it is):
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Materials/technique (what it seems to be):
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Description (shape, surface, decoration):
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Making clues (evidence):
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Interpretation (careful, not absolute):
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One question you want to research next:
Example (short)
Object type: lidded jar
Materials/technique: glazed ceramic with painted decoration
Description: A rounded body with a fitted lid; glossy surface; blue motifs arranged in bands.
Making clues: A defined foot ring suggests it was supported during firing; brushwork indicates hand-painted decoration.
Interpretation: The layout suggests a planned decorative system rather than random painting.
Research question: What motifs or borders are typical for similar jars in museum collections?
