Babylonian Collection, Sterling Memorial Library
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Clay Plaque, ca. 17th. Century B.C.E.
This ancient casting of a figurine may reflect popular religion. It is conventionally described as the figurine of a goddess, perhaps even the Sumerian Inanna, patron-deity of fertility, or her Akkadian counterpart Ishtar (whose name is preserved in the Biblical Esther) though lacking the usual iconographic attributes of divinity: the horned crown and the flounced garment. In fact, the figure is totally unclothed, except for her necklace and possibly the suggestion of a belt. The exaggerated sexual traits were perhaps designed to encourage procreation in the bed-chamber where it was presumably kept.
Literature: T. Jacobsen, The Treasures of Darkness (New Haven/London, Yale University Press, 1976) ch. 2.
Place of publication: E. Douglas van Buren, 31:no. 161, pl. ix:fig. 46.
Museum number: YBC 2204.
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Yale University Library
Nanette Stahl, Judaica Curator
and Judy A. Schiff, Chief Research Archivist,
Manuscripts and Archives, Sterling Memorial Library
All contents copyright (C) 1995
Yale University Library
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URL: http://www.library.yale.edu/exhibition/judaica/