Tanagras

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Human crafts flourished in the Hellenistic age as the Greek world expanded, opening new markets to artisans and their employers. The expansion brought precious materials like gold, silk, and ivory within easier reach, creating a surge in private wealth that fueled demand for skilled craftsmanship. Alexandria in Egypt emerged as a hub for producing luxury goods, including fine glass, faience, metalwork, and sculpture. Artisans throughout the Hellenistic world crafted small-scale sculptures in marble, bronze, and terracotta, with some pieces traveling far from their place of origin to promote the spread of new subjects and styles. It can be tricky to determine whether a particular small-scale sculpture was meant for sacred or secular use, as very similar objects have been found in tombs, sanctuaries, and private homes. During the Hellenistic period, artisans created many new types of terracotta figures, often inspired by larger-scale sculptures. These statuettes depicted the wealthy elite dressed in the latest fashions and preserved their bright, original colors. Made using a molding process, these statues allowed for mass production while still offering variations through added attributes. They served both domestic and funerary purposes. The statuettes were dubbed "Tanagras" because many were discovered at Tanagra, a city in central Greece, but similar figures were crafted in workshops throughout the Mediterranean, distinguishable by the type of clay used.