Home Social Sciences Between Deity and Dedicator
book: Between Deity and Dedicator
Book
Licensed
Unlicensed Requires Authentication

Between Deity and Dedicator

The Life and Agency of Greek Votive Terracotta Figurines
  • Sanne Hoffmann
Language: English
Published/Copyright: 2023
Become an author with De Gruyter Brill
Image & Context
This book is in the series

About this book

The book presents a broad survey of Greek votive terracotta figurines, a class of votives where previous scholarship has mainly consisted of research in specific sites and collections. They have traditionally been interpreted as inexpensive and inconspicuous votives for everyday use, but this study questions whether this is in fact the case.

By introducing the theoretical model of chaîne opératoire for a life cycle study of the votive figurines the book moves through the stages of production, distribution, use and discard of the votives, the latter both in the sense of practical discard and in the end of use. The study is based on a selection of case studies and surveys of relevant material, allowing for in-depth analyses of the terracottas in those life stages of shifting contextual interactions.

The approach furthers new knowledge on several levels, such as the value of the terracottas, their suitability and their popularity as dedications, their iconography and symbolism, the general votive practice, and the end of the terracotta practice. As such, the book is relevant for all who seek insights on terracotta figurines, votive offerings, ritual practice, as well as those interested in archaeological methodology, theory and contexts.

  • Greek votive terracotta figurines analysed through a broad-scale life cycle study.
  • A study of the Greek ritual practice for small offerings.
  • A contextual study of small votive offerings in Greek sanctuaries, through terracotta figurines.

Author / Editor information

Sanne Hoffmann, The National Museum of Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Reviews

"This volume would appeal to students and academics at all levels, functioning as a deep dive into the role of Greek votive terracotta figurines as well as providing a good overview of Greek religion, material culture studies, and archaeological methodology."
Tulsi Parikh, in: European Journal of Archaeology 27/2 (2024), 254-257 (https://doi.org/10.1017/eaa.2024.16)


Publicly Available Download PDF
I

Publicly Available Download PDF
V

Publicly Available Download PDF
IX

Requires Authentication Unlicensed

Licensed
1

Requires Authentication Unlicensed

Licensed
35

Requires Authentication Unlicensed

Licensed
77

Requires Authentication Unlicensed

Licensed
169

Requires Authentication Unlicensed

Licensed
231

Requires Authentication Unlicensed

Licensed
255

Requires Authentication Unlicensed

Licensed
269

Requires Authentication Unlicensed

Licensed
289

Requires Authentication Unlicensed

Licensed
309

Requires Authentication Unlicensed

Licensed
341

Requires Authentication Unlicensed

Licensed
344

Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
July 4, 2023
eBook ISBN:
9783110770223
Hardcover published on:
July 4, 2023
Hardcover ISBN:
9783110768879
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
Front matter:
11
Main content:
347
Illustrations:
60
Coloured Illustrations:
64
Downloaded on 13.12.2025 from https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110770223/html
Scroll to top button