Ancient Eastern Mediterranean / Western Anatolia, Phoenicia, Persian to Hellenistic period, ca. 5th to 1st century BCE. An attractive and quite rare pottery figure of a pregnant female in a pose similar to the "Dea Tyria Gravida" type with hands placed on her chest and thigh to emphasize her breasts and swollen belly. Standing atop a plinth, the mold-made female gazes forward with wide, heavy-lidded eyes beneath an elaborate headdress, draped modestly in a veil and crowned by a wreath. Scholars posit that pregnant figures like these represented either a fertility goddess, a sacred prostitute, or served as a charm to protect women during pregnancy. While Phoenician fertility figures were traditionally depicted as a naked young woman supporting her breasts with both hands as a sign of her nurturing capacity, this example represents a new type that was developed during the Assyrian invasions and placed a greater importance on motherhood. Size: 7.9" W x 20.3" H (20.1 cm x 51.6 cm)

Published: J. Eisenberg. "Art of the Ancient World," vol. XXII (2011), no. 200.

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

Provenance: ex-Royal Athena Galleries, New York City, New York, USA; ex-Bonham's London, UK, 2010; ex-private German collection, since the 1970s

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#179544

Professionally repaired with restoration in areas and a few break lines visible on verso; but otherwise done very well and difficult to detect. Age-expected nicks and abrasions, as shown. Some areas of resurfacing. Excellent presentation with good remaining detail. TL holes to base and back of head.