Near Eastern Fertility Figurine in the Walters Art Museum, September 2009

Female Mesopotamian Figure

Creators: Babylonian (Artist)

Period: 1000-500 BC (Neo-Assyrian (?); Neo-Babylonian (?))

Medium: mold-made terracotta (Ceramics)

Accession Number: 48.1807

Measurements: 3 11/16 x 1 1/2 x 1 1/16 in. (9.3 x 3.8 x 2.7 cm)

Geographies: Babylonia (in present-day Iraq) (Place of Origin)

Terracotta figurines of standing nude women are the most common type of Babylonian votive. Sometimes the figure clasps her hands in front of her, as seen here, while in other examples the figure holds her breasts or suckles a baby. These mass-produced fertility figurines served as votive offerings or as charms to aid in conception and childbirth.

Text from: art.thewalters.org/detail/33218/female-mesopotamian-figure/