What visual characteristics (e.g., details, use of elements, such as color, etc.) do you see as contributing to our understanding of the meaning behind each object?

When you consider the Ritual Pot, Dogon iron lamp, and Chinese bronze vessels I was wondering what historical events or influences did you discovered that influenced how each work looks?

What visual characteristics (e.g., details, use of elements, such as color, etc.) do you see as contributing to our understanding of the meaning behind each object?