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The Function of Art Objects

Some of the art objects created by the cultures surveyed this week served functional roles in their society. Using your course textbook, locate three such objects, one each from the following: Islamic, Asian (Chinese or Japanese), and African.

First, completely identify each object by listing its name, date, and location.

Choose your favorite. Then, in a minimum of 3 well-developed paragraphs discuss:

1. What was the function of the object at the time of its creation?

2. What historical events or social or cultural influences affected the creation of the work?

3. How do the visual characteristics of the object contribute to or enhance our understanding of its meaning?

Be sure to explain your ideas clearly and support them by discussing specific details about the work.