Near East, Syro-Hittite, ca. 2800 to 1500 BCE. A pottery figure of the goddess Astarte with a double-headed form. Below her heads, her body tapers to a rounded, concave disc, with a simple physical form until it reaches the arms and shoulders. Only her outside arms are present, and each one is folded back on itself to touch the chest. Each neck wears a large, double-stranded necklace and each head has a stylized face that is instantly recognizable as from this period. A large, thin nose, a crown-like projecting headdress/coiffure, and a pair of huge eyes made from concentric coils of pottery give each its identical form. The design of the eyes relates to the common motif throughout the Ancient Near East that eyes must be wide and attentive to show religious devotion. Astarte is the goddess who is also known as Ishtar in some parts of Mesopotamia, a goddess associated with femininity, motherhood, and war. Size: 2.6" W x 6.65" H (6.6 cm x 16.9 cm); 7.05" H (17.9 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection

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#130863

Intact, with excellent deposits all over the body.