Bidspirit auction | PHOENICIAN TERRACOTTA MODEL OF A

PHOENICIAN TERRACOTTA MODEL OF A MEDIUM-SIZED BOAT WITH CREW - Ca. 6th century BC A terracotta sculpture representing a typical Phoenician boat, reflecting the central role that seafaring held within this civilisation. The Phoenicians are regarded as the earliest maritime people, establishing coastal cities with strategic harbours and defensive systems. As skilled navigators, they developed an extensive and well-organised trade network stretching from Egypt to Gibraltar and beyond into the Atlantic. This piece belongs to a group of Phoenician terracottas recovered from an underwater context in the 1950s, likely originating from temple sites and serving as ex-votos illustrating key aspects of Phoenician life. Size: L: 67 cm. Provenance: Private European collection of Ancient Art; Ex New York Antiquities Gallery pre-2000; Previously in the Marwan Shehab collection, acquired at Asfar & Sarkis, Beirut, in 1964. 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.