miniature

A miniature is a representation of something that is smaller than life size, or an object produced at a reduced scale for display, study, or use as a toy. In art, miniatures are very small, highly detailed paintings or sculptures. The term has historical roots in medieval manuscript illumination, where tiny images adorned religious texts. The practice developed across cultures, including South Asian miniature painting in Mughal, Persian, and Rajput traditions, as well as European traditions through the early modern period.

In contemporary usage, miniatures appear in a variety of forms. Scale models of buildings and vehicles are common in architecture, engineering, and hobby communities. Dollhouses and dolls represent domestic life at small scale. Figurines are used for tabletop wargaming, while architectural models aid visualization for clients and collaborators. Miniatures are also displayed in museums and private collections as objects of study or decoration.

Miniatures are produced in many scales, defined as ratios to real size. Examples include 1:12 and 1:18 for dolls houses, 1:24 and 1:48 (HO) and 1:87 (N) for rail modelling, and 1:144 for micro models. The choice of scale affects detail, size, and production costs. Methods range from hand carving and casting in resin or metal to 3D printing, with finishing techniques such as painting, weathering, and assembly.

Materials used include plastic, metal, resin, wood, and ceramic. Miniatures serve educational, decorative, historical, and hobby purposes, enabling detailed study or display in limited space and offering tactile, interactive experiences for enthusiasts.