Mesopotamian Stone Idol Head

An ancient Mesopotamian stone head from an abstract idol with large circular eyes, pointed head, looped ears, and a necklace carved below the chin, likely representing Astarte.

Ca. 3rd - 2nd Millennium BC.

Height: 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm).

Ishtar (Akkadian), Astarte (Phoenician), or Inanna (Sumerian) was the most important female deity in Mesopotamia through the second millennium BC. She was identified with the planet Venus, and the sunrise. She was the goddess of both sexual love and warfare. The Greeks identified her with Aphrodite.

Formerly in a New York private collection.

Inv#: 8104

Guaranteed Authentic

$7,500