Description:

Ancient Near East, Syria, Syro-Hittite, 2750 BCE to 1900 BCE. A lovely Syro-Hittite pillar figure of Astarte with mysterious eyes and an almost owl-like presence, and yet her monolithic body, with hands and delineated fingers placed over her breasts and a discernible navel, is still distinctly human. An applied necklace that is further embellished with incised striations graces her form and is flanked by her angular shoulders. The design of the eyes relates to the popular motif found on visual culture throughout the ancient Near East in which eyes are large and attentive in order to show religious devotion. Finally, her birdlike visage is topped by a skillfully delineated fancy coiffure. A wonderful rendering of Astarte, the goddess who was also known as Ishtar in some parts of Mesopotamia and was associated with femininity, motherhood, and war. Size: 2.7" W x 7.7" H (6.9 cm x 19.6 cm)

Provenance: ex-Estate of Eldert Bontekoe, Pegasi Numismatics, Ann Arbor, Michigan USA acquired before 2000

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#158591

  • Condition: Restoration to area of midsection, with resurfacing along new material and break lines. Chip to nose and light encrustations. Nice figural form preserved.

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January 7, 2021 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
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$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
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