Miniatures, typically smaller forms of larger pieces, of American antiques come in many genres. Be they chests of drawers, wooden duck decoys, sideboards, dressing tables, blanket chests, church podium donation boxes, firkins, burl dough bowls, wallpaper hatboxes or those with pincushion covers, food/pie safes, painted trenchers, mortars and pestles, samplers and other needlework or baskets they bring a smile to many people. Heck, even John Deere tractors come in smaller form, the lawn mower version, often selling for thousands of dollars.
But do not conclude that miniatures are all small or that small objects are necessarily miniatures. Silhouettes and memorializing jewelry (as we remember someone deceased), for example, have no larger counterpart. If I read the market at all accurately, miniatures are” hot.” But what is their attraction? Why do so many collectors own a few or more than that? In other words, what is the psychology of the small or smaller? Let us take a look.
The MFA (Museum of Fine Arts) Boston had an exhibit of miniatures, Tiny Treasures: The Magic of Miniatures, in the winter, 2023-24 (with attendant book, Harris, C. L. 2023). The exhibit’s title relegates miniatures to a world beyond the nostalgic or cute. After all, as any collector of miniatures can tell you, their craftsmanship can be impeccable. At the same time, the exhibit’s sleek, 40-inch model of a 1950s Greyhound Scenicruiser bus might not be considered tiny when compared to, say, the half-inch, hedgehog-shaped Egyptian amulet that was displayed nearby. But the model bus is smaller than its “parent” or “origin object,” a full-sized bus, and that’s what makes it a miniature. The amulet emphasizes that miniatures have been crafted for thousands of years in many cultures.
But nostalgia and sentimentality cannot be dismissed as a reason people collect miniatures, especially if they are miniature houses and the like. The former objects may bring back memories of when the collector was a child with dollhouses and all the accoutrements. Miniatures also may remind collectors of significant moments in their lives. They may be reminiscent of toys or objects that held sentimental value, creating a sense of emotional connection. None the less, miniatures belong in the adult world as well.
More generally, one collector shed some light on those who collect miniatures. He said that miniatures require less physical space compared to their full-sized counterparts, making them ideal for collectors with limited room or those who frequently move. Not everyone has a large house or expansive gallery space to accommodate large-scale artworks such as portraits.
I have seen many small portraits over the years but knew little about them. I reached out to Elle Shushan, dealer and author, who specializes in “fine portrait miniatures” and learned a great deal.
Portrait miniatures are unique works of art for which there is rarely a larger “origin object,” and as an art form go back to Hans Holbein in the court of Henry VIII. Subjects were painted from life and sat for the artists as did subjects of itinerant artists. Academic portrait miniaturists had studios. Such works fall within the realm of fine art (not decorative) and exist on ivory, vellum, oil on metal – mostly copper, but also gold, silver and tin – and enamels. I learned that small portraits on paper or card are small watercolor portraits (Lovers of portrait miniatures might take exception to their being included with buses and small burl bowls.)
Such paintings provide an opportunity to build a diverse and extensive collection within limited physical space.Additionally, such miniatures are easy to group and display, one next to another, and easy to use to offset larger pieces. Portrait miniatures and other small paintings offer flexibility of display options. Collectors can arrange them in a grid, cluster them together, or create intricate salon-style arrangements. Due to their size, they can be easily incorporated into existing home decor, office spaces, or even portable display cases, allowing for creative and dynamic presentations.
Also miniatures of any genre such as portrait miniatures or small portraits permit and empower the exploration of a broad range of styles, subjects, and periods. Collectors can acquire works by established names, specialize in one painter or geographic area or style, expanding their collection’s breadth and depth
Some genres of miniatures are largely (no pun intended) affordable (and do not take up much space) so a collector can upgrade frequently. A wonderful portrait miniature, for example, often costs a fraction of a full-sized portrait. Portrait miniatures are a good place for new collectors to begin their art collection. At the same time, I have seen miniature paintings, blanket chests and other genres sell for more (and sometimes far more) than a full-sized example would.
In today’s world of the Internet miniatures are relatively easy to purchase online. As Don Olson (American Antiques and Folk Art) who now sells only from his website pointed out to me, “one can easily get a sense of a miniature, there is no translation to make between scale and three-dimensionality and how it might fit in a room or be lit on a wall. A miniature is almost as easy to understand from good digital photos as it is in person.”
What the above-mentioned collector is talking about in part is a sense of control. Collecting miniatures allows individuals to create and curate their own miniature worlds. This sense of control over a small, manageable space can be comforting and satisfying, especially when the outside world feels chaotic or overwhelming. Miniatures also allow for a sense of whimsy. A collector might put miniature blanket chests on a full-sized counterpart, or miniature Windsor chairs near Windsor seating. Collectors can exercise their creativity.
Another collector of miniatures told that me that he appreciates them both for their craftsmanship, often it is on or close to being on a par with, or even exceeds their full-sized counter parts, and for their availability. “You just figure on finding something every trip out looking.”
The craftsmanship of a miniature can be exquisite as a small piece challenges artists and craftsmen to convey their ideas and narratives within a confined space, often requiring exceptional technical skill. Collectors are drawn to some miniatures because they provide an opportunity to appreciate the intricacies of the craftsman’s abilities and final product. Caroline Culp (Beautiful Little Pictures, The Magazine Antiques, July/August 2024) put it well: “The attraction of miniature pictures . . . lies in the wonder we feel when we grasp the skill of a painter who could produce something so small and yet so meticulously rendered.” (p.87) This wonder applies to other miniature genres as well.
Somehow miniatures make what they depict more knowable. Collectors may be drawn to the beauty and artistry displayed in these small-scale objects. Stamp collectors may talk of the complex details, beauty and wonderment found in a single postage stamp. Those who collect Americana miniatures feel the same way and appreciate the workmanship that goes into such a small piece.
Many toys are in their own way miniatures. I think of toy soldiers that collectors sometimes place into famous battles, refighting the battles with their cavalry and infantry. This escapism and use of imagination offer an opportunity for imaginative play. The pieces provide a means to create and explore fictional or idealized settings, allowing collectors to mentally transport themselves to different places and times.
Miniatures offer the same intellectual stimulation and learning as any other object. Collecting miniatures often involves researching and learning about the historical, cultural, or artistic significance of the objects. This pursuit of knowledge adds an educational element to the hobby.
Intimacy was mentioned by more than one collector of miniatures when I reached out to them. One collector said:
The intimacy of the image, the size, and the ability to pick it up and hold it in your hands……the image itself becomes the object. I am drawn to miniatures on paper as opposed to ivory, as I like the humble quality of portraits. The portraits on paper or board also tend to be a bit folksier, and somehow the primitive quality of the sitter invites the viewer into the frame with less artifice and more honesty. The relationship feels more immediate to me.
Intimacy is a feeling of being close, of being closely connected to someone or something. Tiny Treasures called this “close looking.” Using miniature paintings as an exemplar genre, small paintings inherently invite viewers to come closer, encouraging an intimate interaction that might not be possible with larger artworks. The viewer is drawn in, allowing for a more personal and detailed examination of the piece. Thus, physical intimacy is established.
The small size of the miniature painting requires an attention to detail by both the artist and the viewer. The collector or viewer sees details only visible by approaching the work of art, can easily hold the work in her hands, can carry it to natural light, can turn it over and touch the back, caress the frame, and so forth. The viewer can appreciate the brushwork, subtle use of colors, and fine details that may go unnoticed on larger works.
Collecting miniature Americana can tap into the innate human curiosity to explore and accumulate. The smaller format can pique curiosity and engage collectors in a quest to acquire unique or rare pieces. The size constraint may also create a sense of exclusivity, as certain artists may create only a limited number of small works. While true of larger works or pieces the small scale of a miniature can evokes emotional closeness if the viewer identifies with the subject depicted.
I could not find any definitive research on the personalities of those who collect and enjoy miniatures. However the interest develops, the collector is drawn to the smaller scale, and craftsmanship of the piece. Miniatures appeal to them, catch the eye rather than remaining unseen. Collectors of miniatures may opine that they take a special aesthetic to appreciate.
Yet as I walked our home and collection, I found the only miniatures we own are my wife’s collection of steel 1930s and 1940s small toy airplanes. In answer to the question, “Do we miss it or dismiss it” (Tiny Treasures, p. 121) I must confess, when it comes to miniatures, I must “miss” them. I will look more closely in the future. But those who cherish miniatures attend to them deeply. They “have a real love of looking at small worlds – something inside them is innately attracted to that ‘miniature’ realm.” (John Lasseter, film director, producer, and animator).
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