Description:
A wonderful statuette of a highly stylised female. This type of statuette is characteristic for the Levant, more specifically Syria in the earlier Middle Bronze Age (MBI/II, circa 2000-1600 BC). Such figurines may have been inspired by earlier types from southern Mesopotamia, Elam and Mari, and later became popular in Cyprus and Palestine. See for example the classification by Edwin Pilz, later modified by James B. Pritchard and summarised by Delbert R. Hillers, of types known from the Palestine area, which are of a later date (after circa 1500 BC).
These statuettes always have a flat form and appear to be nude, with the legs pressed close together, separated only by a groove. The feet are slightly flared and can have incised toes. Breasts and navel are usually indicated by applied pellets, sometimes pierced. The position of the arms can vary; the most common types show the arms with the elbows bent, the hands supporting the breasts (type II in the classification of Pilz / Pritchard), or as tapering, abbreviated stumps held out horizontally (type IV), like on this specimen.
They are above all remarkable because of their distinctive heads, which can have a rather bird-like appearance. They have small eyes made of pellets that are incised or drilled, and a large pinched nose; the mouth is absent, and the chin is usually absent as well or only slightly indicated. The stylised ears are pierced for the attachment of earrings, which can be made of clay or metal. Some of them have a high protrusion at the centre of the brow which is either pierced, or has an applied pellet which is pierced. In some cases jewellery (a necklace, a cross-band on the upper body or an ornamental girdle or hip-belt) is added in metal, or represented in applied clay.
The precise identity of the female depicted on these figurines remains much debated (as is also the case earlier in Assyria and Babylonia). It should be noted that many statuettes of this type were excavated from a favissa in the sacred area of Ishtar at Ebla. Experts are equally unsure of their exact function. They are believed by some to be votive offerings or amulets to a mother-goddess, whereas others call them fertility goddesses, which is questioned by some scholars because in their view the figures lack any exaggerated sexual anatomy.
Literature and parallels:
Anne R. Bromberg - Karl Kilinski, Gods, Men, and Heroes. Ancient Art at the Dallas Museum of Art (Dallas, Dallas Museum of Art; Seattle, University of Washington Press, 1996), p. 30;
Delbert R. Hillers, “The Goddess with the Tambourine. Reflections on an Object from Taanach”, Concordia Theological Monthly, volume XLI, no. 9 (October 1970), p. 606-619;
P.R.S. Moorey, Ancient Near Eastern Terracottas. With a Catalogue of the Collection in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford (Oxford, 2001), p. 172, no. 257 (compare also nos. 255-256 on p. 171);
Edwin Pilz, "Die weiblichen Gottheiten Kanaans. Eine archäologische Studie", Zeitschrift des Deutschen Palästinavereins, Band 47 (1924), 129-168;
James B. Pritchard, Palestinian Figurines in Relation to Certain Goddesses Known Through Literature (American Oriental Series, volume 24) (New Haven, American Oriental Society, 1943).
Dating:
Northern Syria, probably Orontes Valley, early Middle Bronze Age, circa 2000-1600 B.C.
Size:
Height 14.5 cm.
Provenance:
Austrian private collection, by inheritance from the private collection of the Dr. Kindler; this was an Austrian archaeologist who excavated in Syria, Jordan and later in Austria. Dr. Kindler passed away in 1978. Objects from his collection were sold by his heirs in 2016.
Condition:
A small area of (possibly ancient) damage near the proper left hip as shown, else completely intact.
SOLD
Stock number:
A1084