19th-16th century BC. A terracotta plaque formed as L-shaped throne with two miniature feet to the bottom; low-relief motif of a seated goddess dressed in long loose robe wearing horned tiara, holding a palm tree (?) in each hand, a flow of water coming from her tiara, a pair of birds standing at her feet. Cf. Ashmolean Museum Oxford, AN1924.670. 79 grams, 91mm (3 1/2"). Ex Bowyer collection; formerly from a German collection; acquired on the German art market before 1990. Nanshe was a goddess of social justice, prophecy, fertility, fishing and was associated with water. Her father was Enki, one of the most important Mesopotamian gods with patronage over magic, water and wisdom; her mother Ninhursag was a goddess of fertility and a mother goddess. She was assigned dominion over the Persian Gulf, on which floated her father's sea shrine. As a secondary function, she was to ensure that shipments of fish reached the mainland. She also had a strong connection with wildlife, especially birds, and divination. [No Reserve]

Fine condition. Rare.