Animal miniatures

Miniatures were created of many different animals. The quantity and geographical dispersal of these animal figures implies that ownership was widespread and that most individuals owned a selection of figures. The sculptures, being light and weatherproof, could be carried on the person and easily concealed. It is not known whether these items were purely for amusement or whether they had some ritualistic significance. Whilst so-called ‘domestic’ animals were popular figures (cats, dogs, birds and even horses were frequently kept in people’s homes and gardens in the oil age period), ‘exotic’ and rare wild animals were also a frequent choice and may have been used as a kind of talisman as many of the species declined and disappeared (ironically often as a result of persecution by humans themselves). There is some evidence that animals, such as tigers and sharks, were believed to have special mystical powers and that in some regions their body parts were eaten in order to access these properties.