Bidspirit auction | PHOENICIAN TERRACOTTA MALE FIGURE WITH

PHOENICIAN TERRACOTTA MALE FIGURE WITH A GESTURE OF PRAYER IN A WALKING POSE - TL TESTED - Ca. 6th - 4th century BCA sculpture of a man, executed in an archaic technique without detailed rendering of the garments or facial features, and incorporating Egyptian elements such as the forward-stepping leg. The right hand is raised in a gesture known as the “orant pose, ” which originates in depictions of divinity from the ancient Near East. This figure may represent a funerary image of an idealised, possibly deified deceased individual serving as a guardian of the tomb, or alternatively, as a gesture of greeting and/or blessing to descendants. The other hand may have held a staff, crook, or religious object. This terracotta belongs to a group of Phoenician figures discovered underwater in the 1950s, possibly votive sculptures from Phoenician temples depicting Phoenicians and their principal activities.Size: 117 cm.Provenance: Private European collection of Ancient Art; Ex New York Antiquities Gallery pre-2000. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter. All items are accompanied by a European export license. Each item has been published and exhibited. A copy of the published book will be provided with each lot.