Bidspirit auction | PHOENICIAN TERRACOTTA NUDE PREGNANT FEMALE

PHOENICIAN TERRACOTTA NUDE PREGNANT FEMALE FIGURE IN RITUAL POSE - Ca. 5th - 4th century BC A terracotta sculpture representing a female deity, most likely assimilated to the goddess Astarte, associated with fertility, life, nature, and sexuality. As protector of the household and mother goddess, she was also venerated in contexts of conception and childbirth, often depicted with a prominent abdomen. This sculpture belongs to a group of Phoenician terracottas discovered underwater in the 1950s, possibly originating from Phoenician temples and intended as votive figures representing individuals and principal activities of the Phoenician people. Size: 39 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.