Ancient Near East, Sumeria, ca. 2nd to early 1st millennium BCE. An impressed decorative ceramic panel depicting the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar (also known as Astarte), shown here as she often is with a lion at her feet - one of the animals who drew her sacred chariot. She is standing and speaking to another figure, perhaps a worshipper, and wears a long skirt and a pointed, tall hat. One of her legs is exposed. Below her is a dotted texture, and she and the worshipper are together within a raised border. Perhaps this panel graced the interior of a temple or other public space. Size: 2.4" W x 4.25" H (6.1 cm x 10.8 cm); 5.95" H (15.1 cm) on included custom stand.

Like many of the goddess figures known from the ancient Near East, Ishtar's role and attributes seem to have been complex, and the interpretations of early archaeologists have only muddied the waters of understanding them. Ishtar has been variously associated with fertility, sexuality, voluptuousness, and prostitution. The Bible, in both Kings and Chronicles, warned the ancient Israelites against worshipping her because of the dangerous nature of her sexuality. However, to the ancient Sumerians, her power was palpable, and they practiced a ceremony of Sacred Marriage to associate themselves with her mythical lover Dumuzi in order to gain her favor.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#127677

Piece is a fragment from a larger panel, with losses to all edges. Figure of the goddess is fully present and well-preserved.