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Photo © President and Fellows of Harvard College
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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1992.256.42
Title
Standing Female Figure
Other Titles
Alternate Title: Figure with Necklaces
Classification
Sculpture
Work Type
sculpture, statuette
Date
14th-12th century BCE
Places
Creation Place: Ancient & Byzantine World, Asia, Anatolia
Period
Hittite Empire period
Culture
Syro-Hittite
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/310289

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Leaded bronze
Technique
Cast, lost-wax process
Dimensions
18.6 x 3.4 cm (7 5/16 x 1 5/16 in.)
Technical Details

Chemical Composition: ICP-MS/AAA data from sample, Leaded Bronze:
Cu, 88.49; Sn, 4.89; Pb, 5.36; Zn, 0.007; Fe, 0.27; Ni, 0.17; Ag, 0.28; Sb, less than 0.02; As, 0.5; Bi, 0.035; Co, less than 0.005; Au, less than 0.01; Cd, less than 0.001
J. Riederer

Technical Observations: The statuette is a solid cast, and casting flaws are evident. Little surface detail, such as tool marks, is preserved. A piece is missing at the top of the head. The patina is green, red, and brown interspersed in layers on an uneven surface.


Carol Snow (submitted 2002)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
From the collection of Louise and George Bates, who purchased it from the Origins Gallery, 159 Newbury St., November 29, 1966. Previously from a collection in Boston, MA and in this country since 1920-1930.

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Gift of Louise M. and George E. Bates
Accession Year
1992
Object Number
1992.256.42
Division
Asian and Mediterranean Art
Contact
am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Published Catalogue Text: Ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern Bronzes at the Harvard Art Museums
This standing nude female statuette holds its legs together atop a conical base that was probably the casting vent. The back is featureless except for a slight bifurcated raised area, indicating buttocks. The short arms are crossed and hold small projecting breasts. There are two cast neck-rings around her elongated neck. Her head features a prominent pointed nose, a small horizontal groove for a mouth, and two deep, round sockets for eyes; these may have been inlaid with another substance. Two symmetrical locks of hair extend down the side of the face to the middle of the head. The swellings at the ends of the locks may depict ears. A cylindrical tang extends vertically upward from the top of the head; its tip is missing.

This impressive female statuette belongs to a prominent group of nude female bronze figures that appear to represent the Canaanite goddess Astarte (1).

NOTES:

1. For parallels to this statuette, see H. Seeden, The Standing Armed Figurines in the Levant, Prähistorische Bronzefunde 1.1 (Munich, 1980) no. 98, pl. E; nos. 39.a-40.a, pl. 12; nos. 48, 48.a, and 49, pl. 13; nos. 50-54, pl. 14; and nos. 78 and 80, pl. 20. See also O. Negbi, Canaanite Gods in Metal: An Archaeological Study of Ancient Syro-Palestinian Figurines (Tel Aviv, 1976) no. 1525, pl. 38; and no. 1532, pl. 39, which is a modern cast from a stone bivalve mold.


David G. Mitten

Subjects and Contexts

  • Ancient Bronzes

Related Objects

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of Asian and Mediterranean Art at am_asianmediterranean@harvard.edu