The body on display: exploring the role and use of figurines in earlyAnglo-Saxon England

Journal article


Brundle, L. 2013. The body on display: exploring the role and use of figurines in earlyAnglo-Saxon England. Journal of Social Archaeology. 13 (2), pp. 197-219. https://doi.org/10.1177/1469605312469455
AuthorsBrundle, L.
Abstract

This article examines the significance and social context of early Anglo-Saxon figurines. Dating to the seventh century AD, these objects are three-dimensional metallic sculptures of the human form, between 30 and 50mm in length, and only 12 are known to
exist. The figurative portrayal of the human form is exceptional; the majority of designs in this timeframe incorporating the human form are represented in two dimensions. The figurines are therefore a marked development in the manufacture and deployment of anthropomorphic representational art that demands an explanation. The figurines are considered here in terms of their three-dimensionality, structural function and the gestures they represent. It is suggested that the figurines are crucial if rare, material evidence for the emerging importance of gestural and gendered expression within elite social contexts.

KeywordsAnglo-Saxon elite society; anthropomorphic; art; body; figurines
Year2013
JournalJournal of Social Archaeology
Journal citation13 (2), pp. 197-219
PublisherSAGE
ISSN1469-6053
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1177/1469605312469455
FunderArts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
Publication dates
Online17 Jun 2013
Publication process dates
Deposited25 May 2018
Output statusPublished
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https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/88v0y/the-body-on-display-exploring-the-role-and-use-of-figurines-in-earlyanglo-saxon-england

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