Description

This mother goddess had been found near the Lchashen village in the Sevan lake region (Armenia) and date back from the PPN (pre pottery neolithic) around the 9th millenium B.C.(end of the Khiamian culture)
This idol is typically crafted from a pebble and shaped thanks to abrasion techniques. Indeed, all the figurines that had been found in the Center and South of the Levant from this period, are carved in shape of a circonsised penis (see last pic.). These specimen have few details. Nonetheless, we can barely distinguish a nose, eyes and a mouth, a body with breasts and a big belly. There is also a notch at the bottom that shapes legs(and that can also symbolize testicles).

These specimens ar very scarce and barely seen in archeological studies. The Kathy Twiss’s publishing in 2016 of “Ritual , Change , and the Pre-Pottery Neolithic Figurines of the Central-Southern Levant” help us to better understand this period and to see some rare examples of such goddesses featuring all these common traits.

Condition

Erosion due from the age. Beautiful patina with remaining luster. No missing part.

Provenance

From a private Armenian collection (found during the 50’s).

Reference

Kathy Twiss, “Ritual , Change , and the Pre-Pottery Neolithic Figurines of the Central-Southern Levant”, p 41