You are considering a very rare ancient Phoenician clay figure of a pregnant woman "MOTHER GODDESS" representing Goddess Astarte "Fertility Goddess" dating to around 600 BC The standing woman is portrayed with large breasts and swollen stomach, her head turned slightly downward to her right. She wears an Egyptian-style wig. Soft facial features are gently rendered with small eyes and a delicate nose.ASHTORETH: Alternatively Astoreth, Athtar, Astarat and Astarte.The goddess of fertility and reproduction among the Phoenicians and the Canaanites, the equivalent of the Babylonian ISHTAR. To the Egyptian, she was the Goddess of war and tenacity The Phoenician colonies carried the worship of Ashtoreth into the Mediterranean. In Cyprus she had important temples at Citium and Paphos, adn left a profound impression on its civilization.Measurements:Height: 16.5 cm - Width: 6.5 cm Condition: Lower part of the base professionally repaired as shown in the pictures Found in Samaria north of Jerusalem, Israel Reference: See Treasures of the Holy Land: Ancient Art from the Israel Museum (Metropolitan Museum 1986), no. 88 for a comparable figure of a pregnant female in the Israel Museum.Background: Similar squatting pregnant figures are well known from Phoenician sites along the eastern Mediterranean and in Cyprus. It is believed that they may be amuletic to encourage a safe delivery or may represent a deity associated with childbirth ALL ITEMS THAT WE OFFER FOR SALE COME WITH A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY

Antiquities
Ancient Near East