Ancient Near East, Anatolia (central Turkey) or northern Syria, Tell Halaf area, ca. 6500 to 4500 BCE. A petite terracotta fertility figure depicting a seated woman with a singular nubbin-shaped breast, voluptuous thighs, and wide hips which emphasize her fruitfulness. The figure is posed in a slight forward lean with curving arms placed gently atop her knees. Her minimalist head boasts a thick neck and a tall, pinched face which is characteristic of abstract figures from this region. Traces of brown or black pigment remain around her neck, waist, and hands. A very strong and remarkably early example! Size: 2.2" W x 3.2" H (5.6 cm x 8.1 cm).

As early as the 7th millennium BCE, cultures in the Near East began creating organized settlements with highly developed religious as well as funerary practices. The Halaf culture of Anatolia (central Turkey) and northern Syria produced mesmerizing female figurines with fertility attributes. Whether images like these were intended to represent real, ideal, or divine women is unknown; however, scholars believe that their primary purpose was to encourage female fertility.

For a stylistically-similar example, please see The Brooklyn Museum, accession number 1990.14: https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/124145

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection

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#137624

Figure repaired from multiple large pieces with light resurfacing and overpainting along break lines. Losses to part of head, one foot, and one breast, with minor nicks across most surfaces, and fading to original pigmentation. Nice earthen deposits throughout. Two old inventory labels on verso.