Ancient Near East, Mesopotamia, Babylon, Old Babylonian Period, ca. 2000 to 1600 BCE. A beautiful example of a mold-formed pottery plaque depicting a right-facing woman seated on a throne or chair. The woman dons a finely pleated dress that drapes from shoulders to ankles, holds her left out in a gesture of offering or reverence, and grasps a slender implement in her right hand. Just off her waist stands a left-facing goose with a plump body and a narrow neck, and she places her feet atop the back of another avian creature. A pair of nubbin protrusions on the verso indicate how this plaque was intended to sit upright. Though unidentified, this figure was perhaps an individual of wealth, power, and beauty worthy of ancient portraiture. Size: 2.375" W x 3.1" H (6 cm x 7.9 cm); 4.2" H (10.7 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: ex-Stein collection, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA, acquired prior to 2010

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#164691

Losses to tips of both nubbins on verso as shown. Stable hairline fissure across the obverse that wraps around the back of the woman, above her head, and past the standing bird's neck. Small nicks to peripheries, with softening to some finer details, and light encrustations in scattered areas. Nice remains of figural and avian details across obverse.