In this activity, you will:

• Examine two ancient vessels to form observations, inferences, and questions for each one
• Read about each vessel to gather information to support your analysis
• Write a comparison of the artist’s design choices for each vessel

• 30 – 60 mins

For this activity, you will be studying two different objects and making 3 Observations, 2 Inferences, and 1 Question—for each object. This is known as the 3-2-1 routine, and helps you separate three different kinds of thinking before you draw any conclusions.

What Is the 3–2–1 Routine?

Here are the steps.

3 Observations

What do you literally see? Describe only what is directly in front of you. Stick to physical, observable facts about the object.

2 Inferences

What do your observations make you think? An inference is a reasoned conclusion based on evidence. Each inference must connect back to a specific observation.

1 Question

What remains unanswered after looking carefully? A strong question cannot be answered from the object alone. Your question should point to something you would need additional research to resolve.

Examine the Caeratan Hydria

Below are images of a hydria, which is a vessel for carrying and pouring water. It has three handles: two horizontal ones on the sides for gripping and carrying, and one vertical handle at the back for tipping and pouring. It stands about 17 inches tall and is made from terracotta, a reddish clay fired in a kiln to harden it.

This hydria was made in the city of Caere, in the Etruscan region of Italy, around 520–510 BCE. It is decorated in the black-figure technique: figures are painted as black silhouettes, then detailed with added color and fine scratched lines. Etruscans had lots of contact with Greek culture through trade, which is why this jar looks and feels strongly influenced by Greek artistic traditions.

Take a closer look at the Caeretan Hydria from the different angles shown below. Then, follow the 3–2–1 routine:

• Write 3 specific observations about the hydria.
• Write 2 inferences about the hydria.
• Write 1 question about the hydria.

Your observations, inferences, and question can be about the function, context, shape, structure or the decorations of the hydria.

Examine the Cameo Glass Skyphos

A skyphos is a deep, two-handled drinking cup. Most skyphoi (plural of skyphos) were made of ceramic, bronze, or silver. This one is extraordinary because it’s made of cameo glass.

Cameo glass is a technique so difficult and time-consuming that very few examples have survived. A skilled glassworker poured powdered white glass into a mold. Then they added hot blue glass on the inside. After slow cooling, a gem-carver carefully cut away the white outer layer everywhere except the figures, leaving them standing out against a deep blue background.

The cup is small, about 4 inches tall and 7 inches wide. The cup was made to be held in both hands while drinking. It dates to the reigns of Rome’s first two emperors, when cameo glass was fashionable among Rome’s richest households.

Take a closer look at the Cameo Glass Skyphos from the different angles shown below. Then, follow the 3–2–1 routine:

• Write 3 specific observations about the skyphos.
• Write 2 inferences about the skyphos.
• Write 1 question about the skyphos.

Your observations, inferences, and question can be about the function, context, shape, structure or the decorations of the skyphos.

Write an Analysis Comparing the Artist’s Design Choices

You have carefully studied two ancient vessels, recorded your observations and inferences, and discussed your thinking. Now, you will combine those ideas into a written argument supported by evidence.

Choose one design choice that both the maker of the Caeretan Hydria and the maker of the Cameo Glass Skyphos had to make. Think about how each artist used the surface space, showed that the object was valuable, or made the object both useful and attractive.

Write a paragraph of 6–8 sentences, in which you argue whether the two makers had similar or different ideas for their objects.

• Begin with a clear claim.
• Support it with at least one specific visual detail from each vessel.
• Draw directly from the observations and inferences you recorded during the 3–2–1 activity.
• End by explaining what that comparison reveals about the relationship between an object’s appearance and its purpose.

Optional Activities

Read more about each object:

• Explore Caeretan Hydria
• Explore Cameo Glass Skyphos

Or, listen to the audio recordings below to learn more about each vessel.

An ancient Greek pottery style where figures are painted in black on orange clay.

A type of decorative glass that has layers of two or more colors.

A region north of Rome in ancient Italy; things from this region are referred to as “Etruscan.”

A large clay jar used in ancient Greece for carrying water.

A reasoned conclusion based on evidence.

A deep drinking cup with two handles used in ancient Greece.

Italian for “baked earth.” The term describes a reddish-brown clay that has been fired at a low temperature and left unglazed. Terracotta is used to make pottery, sculpture, architectural decorations, and tiles.