Iron Age Astarte Fertility Figurine | Canaanite Goddess – Time of King David

This ancient figurine represents Astarte—also known as Astarat and Ashtoreth—the Canaanite goddess of fertility, sexuality, and war. Revered as the wife of Baal and the chief goddess of Tyre and Sidon, she was worshipped throughout the ancient Near East, including by the Phoenicians, Hittites, and Egyptians. Astarte was seen as a precursor to the Greek goddess Aphrodite, and was closely identified with the Mesopotamian deities Inanna and Ishtar. As the “Queen of the Morning Star,” she embodied war and power; as the “Queen of the Evening Star,” she symbolized love and fertility.

Height: 15.5 cm

This artifact dates to the time of the United Monarchy, a pivotal era in the Iron Age when the Israelite kingdom was united under the rule of King Saul, King David, and King Solomon. Around 1000 BC, King David established Jerusalem as the political and spiritual capital of Israel. This period is marked by the consolidation of tribal territories into a centralized kingdom, the rise of monumental architecture, and increasing cultural exchange with neighboring powers like the Phoenicians. It is a foundational time in Biblical history, shaping the identity of ancient Israel and its legacy.

This figurine is made of ancient ceramic, skillfully hand-molded from locally sourced clay, and fired in a primitive kiln. Ceramic was one of the most common materials used in the Iron Age for creating household vessels, religious idols, and ritual objects due to its availability and durability. Despite its humble origin, ceramic held deep cultural value—especially in the crafting of sacred figures like this representation of Astarte. Over centuries, the clay has aged to a rich patina, bearing the marks of both its maker and the passage of time.

The Private Collection of K. Baidun. 1970’s