Tanagras

myminifactory

Crafts flourished explosively during the Hellenistic age as Greek expansion opened new markets to skilled artisans and their employers worldwide. The availability of precious materials like gold, silk, and ivory increased dramatically, while rising private wealth sparked a surge in demand for craftsmanship skills. Alexandria, Egypt became renowned globally as a leading centre of luxury goods production, boasting fine glass, faience, metalwork, and intricate sculpture. Small-scale sculptures crafted from marble, bronze, and terracotta were produced throughout the Hellenistic world, with some pieces traveling far to promote new subjects and styles. However, it's often challenging to determine whether a particular small-scale sculpture was intended for sacred or secular use, as similar objects have been discovered in tombs, sanctuaries, and private residences alike. During the Hellenistic period, innovative terracotta figures emerged, drawing inspiration from larger scale sculptures. These miniature statues depicted wealthy elites dressed in the latest fashions and many still retain their vibrant, original colours. Mould-made, these statuettes could be mass-produced with various attributes added for diversity. Serving both domestic and funerary purposes, they were affectionately nicknamed 'Tanagras' due to numerous discoveries at Tanagra, a city situated in central Greece. However, such figures were created in workshops across the Mediterranean, distinguishable by the type of clay used.