ANCIENT EGYPTIAN TERRACOTTA NUDE WOMAN

Ca. 1500-1200 BC
Sculpted from fine, thick-walled red terracotta, the relief showcases a slender nude woman with prominent, protruding breasts, her right hand gently resting along her body while her left hand is gracefully bent. The portrayal features an accentuated belly button and a visage bearing a serene expression, characterized by a broad nose and hair framing the face, adding a sense of intricate detail to the artwork. The reverse side remains flat and unworked. Such reliefs served as symbols of fertility, emphasizing the vital role of women in procreation and the perpetuation of the community. Additionally, it is likely that it was also dedicated to venerating goddesses associated with fertility and motherhood, embodying divine femininity and life-giving powers. This depiction might have been also utilized in religious rituals, acting as a talisman to safeguard women during childbirth or to invoke divine blessings for their well-being and that of their offspring. Custom mounted.
Size: L:105mm / W:60mm ; 195g
Provenance: Property of a London Art gallery; Ex. David Hendin collection.
Estimate: GBP 750 - 1500