Description:

Ancient Near East, Northern Syria, Syrian culture, ca. mid-3rd millennium BCE. A hand-built pottery idol of characteristically abstract form depicting a female goddess standing atop fused columnar legs and a gently flared base. Likely a representation of war and fertility goddess Astarte, the figure presents with a slender body that flares outwards to form a pair of bent arms and an incised pectoral collar around her neck and clavicle. Her tall, avian-form head features a pair of incised circular eyes, a petite triangular nose that resembles a bird's beak, and an incised fillet with bangs cascading down the sides of her neck. Size: 1.875" W x 6.625" H (4.8 cm x 16.8 cm)

Cf. "Idols: The Beginning of Abstract Form." Ariadne Galleries, New York, 1989, pp. 82-83, plates 63-65

This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full printed and bound report is available to the buyer upon request.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#175782

  • Condition: Professional repair and restoration to middle of body, with resurfacing and overpainting along new material and break lines; foot and upper body (including arms) are ancient. Nice preservation to finer details on upper body. TL drill holes beneath base and on neck behind right bang.

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April 20, 2023 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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