The Tiny and the Fragmented

Miniature, Broken, or Otherwise Incomplete Objects in the Ancient World

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Archaeology, Art & Architecture, Art History, History, Ancient History
Cover of the book The Tiny and the Fragmented by , Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: ISBN: 9780190910822
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: October 16, 2018
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author:
ISBN: 9780190910822
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: October 16, 2018
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

Miniature and fragmentary objects are both eye-catching and yet easily dismissed. Tiny scale entices users with visions of Lilliputian worlds. The ambiguity of fragments intrigues us, offering tactile reminders of reality's transience. Yet, the standard scholarly approach to such objects has been to see them as secondary, incomplete things, whose principal purpose was to refer to a complete and often life-size whole. The Tiny and the Fragmented offers a series of fresh perspectives on the familiar concepts of the tiny and the fragmented. Written by a prestigious group of internationally-acclaimed scholars, the volume presents a remarkable diversity of case studies that range from Neolithic Europe to pre-Colombian Honduras to the classical Mediterranean and ancient Near East. Each scholar takes a different approach to issues of miniaturization and fragmentation but is united in considering the little and broken things of the past as objects in their own right. Whether a life-size or whole thing is made in a scaled-down form, deliberately broken as part of its use, or only considered successful in the eyes of ancient users if it shows some signs of wear, it challenges our expectations of representation and wholeness, of what it means for a work of art to be "finished" and "affective." Overall, The Tiny and the Fragmented demands a reconsideration of the social and contextual nature of miniaturization, fragmentation, and incompleteness, making the case that it was because of, rather than in spite of, their small or partial state that these objects were valued parts of the personal and social worlds they inhabited.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Miniature and fragmentary objects are both eye-catching and yet easily dismissed. Tiny scale entices users with visions of Lilliputian worlds. The ambiguity of fragments intrigues us, offering tactile reminders of reality's transience. Yet, the standard scholarly approach to such objects has been to see them as secondary, incomplete things, whose principal purpose was to refer to a complete and often life-size whole. The Tiny and the Fragmented offers a series of fresh perspectives on the familiar concepts of the tiny and the fragmented. Written by a prestigious group of internationally-acclaimed scholars, the volume presents a remarkable diversity of case studies that range from Neolithic Europe to pre-Colombian Honduras to the classical Mediterranean and ancient Near East. Each scholar takes a different approach to issues of miniaturization and fragmentation but is united in considering the little and broken things of the past as objects in their own right. Whether a life-size or whole thing is made in a scaled-down form, deliberately broken as part of its use, or only considered successful in the eyes of ancient users if it shows some signs of wear, it challenges our expectations of representation and wholeness, of what it means for a work of art to be "finished" and "affective." Overall, The Tiny and the Fragmented demands a reconsideration of the social and contextual nature of miniaturization, fragmentation, and incompleteness, making the case that it was because of, rather than in spite of, their small or partial state that these objects were valued parts of the personal and social worlds they inhabited.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book Biology of Spiders by
Cover of the book The Ascent of Science by
Cover of the book Creating Language Crimes by
Cover of the book A Middle Class Without Democracy by
Cover of the book Biology of the Ubiquitous House Sparrow by
Cover of the book Eros and Greek Athletics by
Cover of the book Conversation and Responsibility by
Cover of the book Words Onscreen by
Cover of the book The Generalist Counsel by
Cover of the book The Most Democratic Branch by
Cover of the book Developing Destinies by
Cover of the book Addiction in the Older Patient by
Cover of the book Totally Weird and Wonderful Words by
Cover of the book The Handbook of Culture and Psychology by
Cover of the book Beyond the Congregation by
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy