Female Pillar Figurine, 1000-586 BCE
Clay: hand-formed body, mold-formed head, fired
6 1/8 x 2 15/16 in. (15.5 x 7.5 cm.)
Archaeology Acquisition Fund
JM 12-73.268a ' ; $object_caption = 'Female Pillar Figurine, 1000-586 BCE
Clay: hand-formed body, mold-formed head, fired

JM 12-73.268a ' ; $object_summary = 'Many examples of this female figure, dating from the Israelite period, were found in homes and tombs. What was their function? They may have been part of a folk religion practiced by women. Alternatively, some scholars speculate they may have represented a second deity in addition to YHWH — his consort Asherah. These scholars believe that Jews\' monotheism developed over time, and that in the meantime, Jews practiced monolatry — they believed that other gods existed, but chose to follow only one.

Currently on view in the Permanent Exhibition. '; ?>