Figurine

As a statuette ( small statue ) is called a small figure made ​​of wood, animal bone, horn, ivory, clay, terracotta, stone, metal, or other material, which is an anthropomorphic being or an animal in naturalistic or abstract form. The term Figurine however, is the former name for a small human figure in painting, the Masked figure, or for dolls in the festivities since the late Middle Ages.

Statuettes are occupied since the primitive society, for example in the form of Venus figurines such as the Venus of Willendorf (around 25 000 BC) or animal figures as well as in the ancient societies in which statuettes were often Idol sculptures or sculptures, ie the worship of deities and idols served. Thus, they were bound for a long time cult or similar purposes. In ancient Egypt, statuettes embodied as grave goods, so-called Uschebti, the deceased, or were intended to be slaves in the afterlife.

In the Middle Ages only limited object of art and crafts, sat with the Renaissance a new interest for statuettes. They were created for religious purposes such as the veneration of saints, and now also for profane, eg as a table or room decorations. First peak it reached in 15-16. Century in Italy and Germany.