Tanagras

myminifactory

Human: The art of crafting flourished during the Hellenistic age as the Greek world expanded, creating new markets for skilled artisans and their patrons. With precious materials like gold, silk, and ivory becoming more readily available, an increase in private wealth sparked a demand for expertise in working with these luxurious commodities. Alexandria in Egypt emerged as a hub of luxury goods production, including fine glass, faience, metalwork, and sculpture. Small-scale sculptures in marble, bronze, and terracotta were crafted throughout the Hellenistic world, with some pieces traveling far from their place of origin to promote the widespread dissemination of new subjects and styles. It can be challenging to determine whether a particular small-scale sculpture was designed for sacred or secular use, as similar objects have been found in tombs, sanctuaries, and private homes. During this period, many innovative types of terracotta figures were created, often inspired by larger-scale sculptures. These statuettes depicted the wealthy elite dressed in the latest fashions and preserved their original vibrant colours. Mould-made, these figurines allowed for mass production, with various attributes added to create variety. They served both domestic and funerary purposes. The statuettes were nicknamed 'Tanagras' due to the discovery of many examples at Tanagra, a city in central Greece, but similar figures were crafted in workshops throughout the Mediterranean. The type of clay used helps distinguish one regional workshop from another. For further examples, see galleries 69 and 73.