Syro-Hittite Terracotta Statuette of an Offering Bearer with a Sacrificial Animal

Culture: Levant

Period: 1st half of 2nd millennium B.C.

Material: Terracotta

Dimensions: 8.1 cm high

Price: 4 400 Euro

Ref: 6656

Provenance: From the French collection Armand Trampitsch (1890-1970). Sold with Ader Tajan in the auction "Collection Armand Trampitsch", 13 and 14 May 1992, lot 124. With an inscribed collection photo and the catalogue page.

Condition: Minor wear on the foot, otherwise intact and excellently preserved.

Description: Rare terracotta group of a kneeling offering bearer, who holds a sacrificial animal, possibly a fawn, in his lap. The bearded adorant has an oversize head with a prominent, pointy nose and a long-bearded chin. The eyes and ears are deeply pierced and once possibly held gemstones. The man wears a round headdress with a ribbed brim. In his arms an animal facing to the side, its head with raised ears almost snuggling to the cheeks of its carrier. The round eyes of the fawn also deeply pierced and once possibly also held gemstones. The body of the offering bearer is stylized. He rests on his trapezoid back, one leg is stretched out and bent. The toes are accentuated by fine incisions. The statuette belongs to the Syro-Hittite votive terracottas, which are above all known for their Astarte figures. The detailed worked out sculptures with the expressive faces and downright emotional human-animal relationship is of extraordinary quality and rare.