Amlash Terracotta Steatopygous Figurine

£ 425.00

An Amlash terracotta idol figurine, mounted on a modern polished stone base. The figure is standing and shows a female form; with a rounded ‘button’ face and a squared headdress, resting on a long elegant neck. She has short outstretched arms, and steatopygous hips, buttocks and legs, tapering down to small rounded feet. The chest has been truncated and is now flat, but similar examples often have breasts. The buttocks slightly protrude outwards and feature a small incision. Signs of repairs to the reverse.

Measurements – Figure without base: 11.2cm x 4.9cm x 3.5cm

Figure with Base: 12cm x 5cm x 5cm

Date: Circa 1st Millenium BC
Provenance: From an important Cambridgeshire estate; thence by descent. Acquired on the UK art market before 2000.
Condition: Very fine condition. The front of the figure has been slight truncated, resulting in a rough and irregular surface. Repairs to the reverse across the left shoulder, and circling the buttock.

In stock

The Amlash culture refers to an area in the Near East, bordering the South-West area of the Caspian Sea. An assortment of artefacts have been identified in this geographical region, including terracotta idols such as this example. Although the precise function is still a matter of speculation, terracotta figurines probably had a myriad of uses, as images of worship, architectural elements and decorative objects. Female idols are often linked to notions of fertility or ‘mother goddess’ concepts.

Weight 137.2 g
Dimensions L 5 x W 5 x H 12 cm
Culture

Pottery and Porcelain

Region

Reference: For a similar item,Bonhams, Antiquities, 3rd July 2019, Lot 4

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