Tanagras

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Crafts flourished wildly during the Hellenistic age as the Greek world expanded, opening new markets to artisans and their eager employers. The availability of precious materials such as gold, silk, and ivory skyrocketed, and a surge in private wealth created a booming demand for skilled craftsmen who could work these luxurious materials. Alexandria in Egypt rose to fame as a hub for the production of luxury goods including fine glass, faience, metalwork, and stunning sculpture. Artisans throughout the Hellenistic world crafted small-scale sculptures from marble, bronze, and terracotta that were highly sought after. These pieces often traveled far from their place of manufacture, promoting the widespread circulation of innovative subjects and styles. It's frequently challenging to determine whether a specific small-scale sculpture was designed for sacred or secular use since very similar objects have been found in tombs, sanctuaries, and private homes. During the Hellenistic period, artisans created numerous new types of terracotta figures inspired by larger scale sculptures. These statuettes depicted the wealthy elite dressed in the latest fashions and many still preserve their original bright colours. Crafted using a mould-making technique, these statuettes could be replicated with ease, although sometimes different attributes were added for variety. They served both domestic and funerary purposes. The statuettes became known as 'Tanagras' because many examples were discovered at Tanagra, a city located in central Greece. However, such figures were crafted in workshops all over the Mediterranean, and the type of clay used helps distinguish one regional workshop from another.