Ceramicists, Apprentices or Part-Timers? On the Modelling and Assembling of Peak Sanctuary Figurines

Abstract

The question of who made peak sanctuary figurines has frequently been raised but seldom deeply examined. The assumption that the aesthetically refined pieces were carefully made by skilled ‘artists’ while the less visually pleasing ones were rapidly made by low-skilled ‘artisans’ has consequently endured. Revisiting these conclusions from a materially inclusive perspective that incorporates examinations on the process of figurine making, this study experientially and experimentally investigates what learning to model and assemble a medium-sized composite anthropomorphic figurine required and therefore what forms of knowledge and experience the task necessitated. Building on the observation of 60 novice participants’ experiences with figurine modelling and assembling, this analysis proposes that a range of differently trained and skilled individuals participated in figurine manufacture. Ultimately, in advancing a more nuanced perspective on the question, this paper shows how participation in figurine making may have varied from context to context and how assessing figurine makers’ level of skill is a complex endeavour contingent on a number of intangible factors such as training, psychological disposition and the artefacts’ function.

Keywords

• ceramics
• bronze age
• greece