Ancient Near East, Northern Syria, Syro-Hittite culture, ca. 2200 to 1900 BCE. An enticing, hand-built pottery figure of Astarte - known as Ishtar in parts of Mesopotamia - the goddess associated with femininity, war, and motherhood. The figure presents with a pillar-shaped body standing atop a flared base and holds both arms gently against her chest. Broad shoulder taper gradually upwards towards a faintly incised necklace that shrouds her clavicle, and her neck is embellished with a tight choker-style necklace. Her captivating countenance shows off a beak-like nose flanked with coffee-bean-shaped eyes, bushy brows that feed into the bangs that frame her face, intricate ear ornamentation, and a coiffure that protrudes behind her head with a trio of circular dots applied in a row along the top. A fabulous and early example of this figural typology! Size: 2.625" W x 7.3" H (6.7 cm x 18.5 cm)

This piece has been tested using thermoluminescence (TL) analysis and has been found to be ancient and of the period stated. A full report will accompany purchase.

Provenance: private Salisbury, Maryland, USA collection, acquired 1990; ex-private New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA

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#163780

Head reattached to neckline and restoration along back of neck for stabilization, with chips and light adhesive residue along break lines, and resurfacing along new material. Chips to base, arms, and head, with softening to some finer details, and light encrustations. Nice preservation to overall form. TL drill holes beneath base and behind head beneath coiffure.