Old Babylonian Plaque of a Goddess

$947.78

A finely modelled Old Babylonian creamy earthenware plaque, depicting an elaborately jewelled goddess. The figure is portrayed with hoop earrings and wearing a long vest, covering the total length of her body. The architecture in which the goddess appears standing, has been rendered through a series of incised lines, echoing real-life wooden architecture. The reverse appears flat and unworked, suggesting that the piece might have been attached to the flat surface of a temple or shrine.

 

 

 

Date: Circa 1894-1650
Period: Old Babylonian Dynasty
Condition: Very fine condition, the plaque is supplied with a custom made display stand.

In stock

SKU: HL-19 Category: Tag:

Small terracotta plaques of this class are conventionally designated as ‘goddess in a structure’. Numerous parallels, with highly standardised iconographies of a richly jewelled goddess, have been extensively excavated from temples of the early Old Babylonian Dynasty, indicating their close association with religious purposes. Such plaques might have been used as votive offerings. The deity might be associated with the goddess Ishtar, who also known as Inanna in the previous Summerian world. Ishtar was one of the most important female deities in Mesopotamia through the second millennium BC. She has been worshipped as the goddess of warfare, justice, love and fertility. Images and religious implications of Ishtar can be found across the ancient Mediterranean worlds, she is also identified with Phoenician Astarte and Greek Aphrodite.

Weight 93.4 g
Dimensions W 6 x H 11 cm
Culture

Region

Pottery and Porcelain

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