Week 2 Readings
1. The “Form-to-Function Map”
What you will learn this week
By the end of Week 2, you will be able to:
-
identify common ceramic form families (bowl, cup, jar, vase, plate, flask)
-
explain how rim, belly, neck and foot signal function and stability
-
write a clear form description that avoids guessing
Real-world lens (why this matters)
Whether you are viewing a museum object, reading a catalogue entry, or planning your own piece, “form literacy” helps you:
-
understand why a vessel is shaped the way it is
-
avoid common misunderstandings (“It’s decorative only!” vs “It was made to pour/store/serve”)
-
design more stable vases and more usable tableware
