Israelite Terracotta Head of the Fertility Goddess, Iron Age II, 800 B.C.E. - 600 B.C.E.
H. 5.5 cm
KB_PT_0434
Provenance
The Private Collection of the Baidun FamilyMahmoud Baidun (1920-1980) founded what would become Khader M Badiun and Sons Galleries in Jerusalem, Isreal. As a young boy, Mahmoud would accompany archeologists, biblical scholars, and visiting delegations on excavation sites all over Jerusalem and other sites within the country. Earning the trust of scholars and archeologists alike, Mahmoud became an indispensable presence and guide to other visiting scholars. When Mr. Baidun entered the antiquities trade, he would be granted trade license under the British Mandate and from the Hashemite Kingdom. When Israel authorized the trade of antiquities, Mahmoud was issued one of the first antiquities licenses issued in the country. He would later forge close relationships with other merchants; slowly building a massive private collection that would go on to sell to political leaders, international museums, and private collectors globally.
Publications
Cf. Mazar, A., 1992, ill. 11.25, p. 501-502.
Keel O., Schroer S., 2004, p.189
The Astarte head molded, with wide face, large almond shaped eyes, long nose and thick lips. The hair dress, is similar to the Egyptians in style.
These types of figurines of Astarte, were common in the rituals of the Israelite women. They were found in ancient Israelite sites in the north and Judean sites in the south of the Holy Land.