The uses of small things and the semiotics of Greek miniature objects

Bibliographic Data

ID4082249
AuthorsOliver Pilz (corresponding author)
Year2011
Issue86
Pages15-30
Publication date2011-10-30
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePallas (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0031-0387 • E-ISSN: 2272-7639
PublisherOpenEdition (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.4000/pallas.2068
OpenAlexW70036316
LanguageEN
Citations received11
References cited16

In Greek antiquity, miniature objects are widely attested in the archaeological record. They appear in a variety of contexts such as household assemblages, sanctuaries, and tombs. The fact that, from a diachronic perspective, there exist miniature versions of many different objects has obscured the fact that the process of miniaturisation is, from a synchronic perspective, largely confined to a comparatively small group of symbolically meaningful items. Previous research has downplayed the role of miniature objects by interpreting them as cheap offerings by lower social strata or as children’s toys. Nevertheless, the meaning and function of miniature objects cannot be understood appropriately without considering that these items are symbolically related to various conceptions and beliefs in Greek society. Taking a semiotic approach, this paper suggests that we should conceive of miniature objects as iconic signs of their normal-sized counterparts. Moreover, it is argued that the connotative meaning of objects is enhanced through the process of miniaturisation. The various implications of this interpretation are discussed in two case studies

Aesthetics · Art · Epistemology · Function (biology · Interpretation (philosophy · Linguistics · Meaning (existential · Perspective (graphical · Semiotics · Sociology · Variety (cybernetics · Visual arts · Ancient Mediterranean Archaeology and History · Artificial Intelligence · Classical Antiquity Studies · Computer Science · Philosophy · Visual Culture and Art Theory