Ancient Near East, Mesopotamia, ca. late 3rd to early 2nd millennia BCE. A mold-made terracotta plaque with a relief figure of a pregnant woman. She stands with her breasts cupped in her hands, wearing very little - possibly just a necklace, bracelets, and something around her upper legs. Her coiffure is large and flowing; her face depicted simply with wide eyes (interpreted in ancient Mesopotamia as a sign of attentiveness to the gods ). She stands within a raised border that looks like thick, twined rope. Size: 3.25" W x 4.75" H (8.3 cm x 12.1 cm)

During this time period, the Mesopotamians produced great numbers of clay plaques, many of which survive to this day. They were made for use by private individuals or families in the home, which is where most have been excavated. They are often found broken, probably because their ritual power was no longer needed or had expired. They give us a crucial glimpse into the everyday lives of this lost time period. Nude female figures like this one are by far the most common depiction for the entire span of ancient Near Eastern history. Their meaning is unclear and may never be fully known; initially, they were interpreted as fertility votives, but recently their meaning has been re-evaluated by archaeologists and historians, many of whom now argue that these plaques were made to celebrate sexuality and the desirability of the female form.

Provenance: Ex-Private East Coast, USA Collection

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#121041

Intact with fine remaining details