THE HISTORICAL ORIGINS AND DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL PLASTIC SCULPTURE IN SCULPTURE ART

This article examines the historical origins and evolutionary development of small plastic sculpture (minor sculpture) as a distinct branch of sculptural art. Based on archaeological, historical, and art-historical sources, the study explores the emergence of small-scale sculptural forms from prehistoric times to modern periods. The paper analyzes materials, functions, symbolic meanings, and stylistic transformations of small plastic works across different civilizations. The research highlights the continuity and transformation of this artistic form, emphasizing its cultural, religious, and aesthetic significance.