The production of miniature or model objects for ritual purposes is a phenomenon that can be observed in practically all areas of classical archaeology. From the Minoan to Byzantine periods, artefacts can be found labelled as 'miniatures' and 'models' in excavation reports and museum catalogues. The Romano-Celtic world, where archaeology and artefact studies play a major role in our understanding of religious practices, is no exception. There is hardly a book written on the topic of Romano-Celtic temples or religion that does not devote some space to the significance of miniature votive offerings. A few articles have considered miniature objects from particular sites or areas, but no comprehensive study of the phenomenon of miniaturisation has ever been undertaken. In general, there is an unwritten but nonetheless universal consensus that these artefacts formed a homogenous offering type in antiquity, and that they were all produced for the same or very similar reasons. More specifically, it is widely assumed that miniature votive offerings functioned as a special means by which ordinary people could approach, propitiate, and thank the divine powers with a minimal expenditure of personal resources. Those who could not afford to dedicate the real thing had the option of using a model as a substitute. Both of these assumptions will be challenged in this book, which considers the various finds usually described as miniature or model votive offerings separately, and evaluates their contribution to our understanding of Romano-Celtic religion.
Author(s): Philip Kiernan
Series: Mentor. Studien zu Metallarbeiten und Toreutik der Antike, 4
Publisher: Verlag Franz Philipp Rutzen
Year: 2009
Language: English
Pages: 308
City: Ruhpolding
1. Introduction 1-10
1.1. Miniature and Model Votive Offerings 1
1.2. Defining Votive Offerings, Models and Miniature 1-2
1.3. The Place of Votive Models in the History of Votive Deposition in North-West Europe 3-6
1.4. Explaining Miniature and Model Votive Offerings 6-7
1.5. Chronological and Geographical Limits of the Study Area. 7-8
1.6. Methodology 9
1.7. Presentation of the Material 9-10
1.8. Note on Distribution 10
2. Wheels 11-39
2.1 Introduction 11-13
2.2 Wheels as Dress Ornaments and Wheels in Graves 13-16
2.3. Large Scale Finds of Model Wheels in Temples and Ritual Deposits 16-20
2.4. Individual or Notable Finds of Model Wheels 21-23
2.5. Metal Rings as Miniature Wheels? 23-26
2.6. Moulds, Metals and Production Techniques 26-27
2.7. Distribution and Dating 27-29
2.8 Interpretations of the Wheel Models 29-39
2.9. Summary and Conclusions on Model Wheels 39
3. Arms and Armour 40-113
3.1. The Dedication of Arms: Iron Age and Roman Traditions 40-41
3.2 The Salisbury Hoard Shields 42-46
3.3 The Sanctuary in the Bois du Flavier, near Mouzon 47-63
3.4. The Sanctuary at Blicquy, Hainaut, Belgium 63-66
3.5 Individual Finds of Miniature Swords and Shields
3.6. Miniature Swords / Pocket Knives 66-78
with Scabbards of Bone and Bronze 78-83
3.7. Shields and Swords with Suspension Rings 84-86
3.8. Studs, Badges, 'Fibulae' and other Fittings in the Form of Arms and Armour 86-89
3.9. Miniature Spearheads 89-97
3.10. Complete Miniature Spears 97-104
3.11. Conclusions and Summary: Miniature Arms and Armour 105-113
4. Axes 114-152
4.1. Introduction 114-115
4.2. The History and Anatomy of Ancient Axes 115-118
4.3. Miniature Socketed Axes 118-119
4.4 Axe-shaped Dress Accessories 119-122
4.5 Miniature Votive Axes 122
4.6. A Typology of Miniature Axe 122-134
4.7. The Geographical Distribution of Axe Models 134-136
4.8. Sites with Miniature Axes 136-138
4.9. Chronology 138
4.10. Realism of the Miniature Axes 138-139
4.11. Inscriptions and Other Markings 139-143
4.12. Interpreting Miniature Axes 143-151
4.13. Conclusions on Miniature Axes 151-152
5. Coins 153-164
5.1. Introdution 153-154
5.2. Ceramic and Lead Jetons 154-157
5.3. Coin Impressions and Wax Coins 158-160
5.4. Plated Coins 160-163
5.5. The 'minimissimi' 163-164
5.6. Conclusions on Model Coins 164
6. Ceramic and Metal Vessels, Lamps, Tripods and Stands, Miniature Tableware 165-179
6.1. Ceramic Vessels 165-168
6.2. Miniature Lamps 169
6.3. Miniature Cauldrons 169-173
6.4. Miniature Tripods 173
6.5. Miniature Enamelled Bronze Stands 173-175
6.6. Miniature Lead-Alloy Tableware 175-179
7. Varia: Jewellery, Other Tools, Votives Relating to Travel 180-194
7.1. Model Jewellery 180-181
7.2. Other Miniature and Model Tools 182-190
7.3. Model Objects Relating to Travel: Boats, Anchors, Feet 190-193
7.4. Conclusions, Other Models 193-194
8. The so-called 'Mithrassymbole' 195-210
8.1. Introduction 195-196
8.2. Distribution and Findspots of the Mithrassymbole. 196-197
8.3. Characteristics of the Graves with Mithrassymbole 197-198
8.4. The Dating of Graves with Mithrassymbole 198-199
8.5. Description of the Mithrassymbole 199-203
8.6. Interpreting the Mithrassymbole 203-209
8.7. Conclusions on the Mithrassymbole 209-210
9. Conclusion 211-218
9.1. Miniatures and Models as a Heterogeneous Group 211-213
9.2. The Relationship between Miniature Grave Goods and Votives 213-214
9.3. Models as Reflections of Reality 214
9.4. The Identity of the Dedicator 215-216
9.5. Big Prayers and Little Gifts - What Did the Dedicators Want? 216-217
9.6. The Mechanisms of Change. Why Miniatures and Models? 217-218
9.7. Conclusion 218
10. Appendix: Catalogue of Model Axes 219-267
11. Addendum 268-273
12. Abbreviations and Bibliography 274-294
13. Indices of Sites and Museums 295-300
