Figurine
A figurine (a
Figures with movable parts, allowing limbs to be posed, are more likely to be called
The main difference between a figurine and a statue is size. There is no agreed limit, but typically objects are called "figurines" up to a height of perhaps two feet (60 cm), though most types are less than one foot (30 cm) high.
Prehistory
In China, there are extant Neolithic figurines.[1]
European prehistoric figurines of women, some appearing pregnant, are called
Olmec figurines in semi-precious stones and pottery had a wide influence all over Mesoamerica about 1000–500 BC, and were apparently usually kept in houses.
These early figurines are among the first signs of human culture. One cannot know in some cases how they were used. They probably had religious or ceremonial significance and may have been used in many types of rituals. Many are found in burials. Some may have been worn as
History
The first European porcelain figurines, were produced in
Genre figurines of gallant scenes, beggars or figurines of saints are carved from pinewood in Val Gardena, South Tyrol (Italy), since the 17th century.
Significant types:
- Ushabti - Ancient Egypt, mostly placed in tombs
- Olmec figurine
- Psi and phi type figurine - Mycenaean Greece
- Euphrates Syrian Pillar Figurines and Horses and Riders - Iron Age
- Tanagra figurines - Hellenistic Greece
- Tang dynasty tomb figures - China, c. 620–755
- Mississippian stone statuary - c. 800–1600
- Staffordshire figures- England, 1720 to present
- Santons - Provence, France, 18th century to present
- Animal figurines
- Model figure
Modern era
Modern figurines, particularly those made of plastic, are often referred to as figures. They can encompass modern
Figurines of comic book or sci-fi/fantasy characters without movable parts have been referred to by the terms inaction figures (originally used to describe
There is also a hobby known as mini war gaming in which players use figurines (for example toy soldiers) in table top based games. These figurines are mostly made of plastic and pewter. However, some premium models are made of resin.
Figurines can also represent racial and ethnic slurs, for example, Jew with a coin figurines, and Mammy figurines.
Gallery
For more images related for "Figurine", see Category:Figurines on Commons
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Minoan praying woman in bronze, 16th century BC
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Figurine from the Mixtec culture
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The twelve Chinese zodiac figurines
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18th century Saint John Baptist pinewood polychrome figurine
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Franz Anton Bustelli, German porcelain group
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Porcelain painter, Royal Copenhagen
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Hummel figurine
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Fallen Astronaut, Moon
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A Musketeer figurine
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Mammy figurines in the collection of the Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia
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Statuette of Poseidon, marble
References
- ISBN 0-521-81184-8
- ^ "New range of 'gypsy wedding' figurines launched by Camal Enterprises". The Sentinel. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2015.
- Media related to Figurines at Wikimedia Commons