Iron Age II, late 8th century BCE
H: 14; W: 9 cm
Israel Antiquities Authority
Accession number: IAA 1978-1437
Such figurines, with pronounced breasts, were found mainly in private dwellings. Usually identified with either the goddess Astarte or the goddess Asherah, they were kept as household amulets to enhance fertility and offer protection during childbirth.
3x50@50: IMJ Collection Highlights, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem, 2015
Digital presentation of this object was made possible by: The Ridgefield Foundation, New York, in memory of Henry J. and Erna D. Leir