Primates as decorative figurines
Monkeys fascinate as a decorative motif because they sit so close to humans – in build, expression and gesture. It's precisely this closeness that gives them such expressive force in figurative depiction: a chimpanzee in contemplative pose reads almost philosophical, a gorilla in powerful stance imposing, a baby monkey playful and warm. In European art history, monkeys have appeared frequently since the Middle Ages as symbols of imitation, curiosity and the mirror held up to humanity – a motif that lives on in the modern decorative figurine.
Monkey figurines come here in widely varying styles: three-piece sets in the "see no evil" style show chimpanzees in the classic triple pose – similar sets are also available under Funny Animal Figurines. Steampunk monkeys in scholar or craftsman roles combine animal depiction with Victorian fantasy aesthetics. Bronzed large-format figures set different accents – calm, present and with proper visual weight in the room. Plenty of figures come from HotAnt and Veronese.
Further animal figurines sit in the wider animal section.
