Terracotta statuette of woman with bird face
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Curationist Object DescriptionBy the 7th century BCE, Astarte’s cult had come to Cyprus and this terracotta figure may be one of her devotees. As Astarte's icons traveled throughout the Mediterranean, she evolved as a goddess of war, love, fertility, and hunting.
Fertility figures appear as anthropomorphic and zoomorphic throughout the Cypriotic periods. During a period of significant contact with the Levant peoples, bird-faced, female figurines became common, suggesting their influence.
This object was excavated from the tombs at Nicosia-Ayia Paraskevi. It is one of many mold-made terracotta works featuring avian characteristics. She holds a small infant in her arms, and has wide hips and an exaggerated pubic triangle.
Fertility figures appear as anthropomorphic and zoomorphic throughout the Cypriotic periods. During a period of significant contact with the Levant peoples, bird-faced, female figurines became common, suggesting their influence.
This object was excavated from the tombs at Nicosia-Ayia Paraskevi. It is one of many mold-made terracotta works featuring avian characteristics. She holds a small infant in her arms, and has wide hips and an exaggerated pubic triangle.
Metropolitan Museum of Art Object Description
Statuette of a woman with bird face
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All Works in Curationist’s archives can be reproduced and used freely. How to attribute this Work:
Unknown, Terracotta statuette of woman with bird face, circa 1450–1200 BCE. Metropolitan Museum of Art. Astarte evolved as a goddess of war, love, fertility, and hunting in the Mediterranean. This Cypriot, bird-faced figure may represent one of her devotees. Public Domain.
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