Syro-Phoenician Shipwreck Terracotta Sculpture of a Birthing Scene

Object Description

A Syro-Phoenician terracotta sculpture featuring a birthing scene. A nude female sitting on a stool is assisting with the birth of a baby from a taller figure. The facial features are worn, giving a more stylised impression, but a modelled nose is still visible. Both female figures are featured with prominent breasts and hair held back by a veil, representative of the Dea Gravida (“pregnant goddess”) type. Between the two figures is a possibly a third figure, perhaps the baby, which is now missing leaving only a hollow protrusion. The sculpture is hollow from the underside. Earthly encrustation covers the surface.

Date: 8th-6th century BC

Object History

From an important Cambridgeshire estate, acquired on the UK art market before 2000, hence by descent.

Object Condition

Fair condition. Chips to the hands of the taller figure and left hand of the seated figure. Loss of the centre portion between the two figures. The sculpture is recovered from a shipwreck hence marine accretions are present on the surface.

Object Details