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Lady of Galera

Lady of Galera is a Phoenician alabaster figurine found in the Tútugi Necropolis near Galera, in the province of Granada. It comes from Tomb No. 20 in Area I and is dated to the 4th century BC. The sculpture probably represents the goddess Astarte. It shows a seated woman between two sphinxes, holding a bowl and pouring liquid through two holes in her breasts. Its robust shapes suggest Mesopotamian influence, while the stylized clothing and hair reflect Egyptian influence. Because of its sacred character, it passed through several generations before its final burial as part of a funerary offering. It is now exhibited at the National Archaeological Museum of Spain in Madrid.

Lady of Galera seated stone figurine holding a bowl, flanked by winged creatures
The Lady of Galera shown as a seated stone figurine holding a bowl, with winged creatures beside her.
November 2016 © · CC BY-SA 2.0
Lady of Galera figurine showing a seated stone figure holding a shallow bowl, flanked by two smaller winged figures.
The Lady of Galera figurine is shown as a seated stone figure holding a shallow bowl, with two smaller winged figures beside it.
January 2015 © · CC BY 4.0
Lady of Galera figurine showing a seated carved figure holding a basin, flanked by two smaller winged figures.
Lady of Galera, a carved seated figure with a basin and two winged attendants, displayed against a red background.
· CC BY 2.0
Nine views of the Lady of Galera alabaster figurine showing a seated female figure with winged sphinxes and a circular basin against a black background.
The Lady of Galera shown in multiple angles as a 3D model, revealing the seated figure, winged sphinxes, and circular basin.
December 2019 © · CC BY 4.0
Lady of Galera carved stone figurine shown from the back and side, with an elaborate coiffure and a vessel in hand.
The Lady of Galera stone figurine, shown from the back and side with its detailed carved base.
0700 © Relanzón, Santiago (photo) · CC BY-SA 4.0

Identification

NameLady of Galera
Typefemale figurine
Alternative nameDama de Galera

Historical context

CulturePhoenician
Date7th century BC, probably

Creator

Origin/manufacturePhoenician, probably

Physical characteristics

Height18.5 cm

Materials

Materialalabaster

Appearance

Head elementanother vessel or possibly a ring on top of the head
Breast openingstwo openings in the breasts that released liquid into the bowl
Flanking figurestwo winged sphinxes, possibly also interpreted as throne arms
Object heldoffering bowl held with both forearms and hands
Hairbraided locks falling to the shoulders, with Egyptian influence
Garmentpleated floor-length dress with a border; bare feet visible
Figure typeidealized seated female figure
Poseseated between two winged sphinxes

Iconography and meaning

Depicted deityprobably the Near Eastern goddess Astarte
Function of bowlreceived liquid, probably milk or water, from the figure's breasts
Interpretationa sacred object, perhaps more than a high priestess or fertility goddess
Stylistic influencesEgyptian influence in the hair and costume; robust form recalls Mesopotamian statues

Discovery and provenance

Discovery date1916
FindspotGalera, formerly Tutugi, Granada province, Spain
Archaeological contextTútugi necropolis, near Cerro del Real, near Galera
Associated burialtomb no. 20, zone I
Related artifactsGreek, Iberian, Phoenician, and terracotta and alabaster vases, ornaments, weapons, furniture, and figurines from nearby tombs
Related artifact datingdated between the 7th and 3rd centuries BC; some source fragments say between the 3rd and 6th centuries BC

History and restoration

Later use and buriallikely used by several generations as a sacred object before final burial as a funerary offering

Location and ownership

Current locationMuseo Arqueológico Nacional de España, Madrid