Israel Department of Antiquities and Museums

“Ashdoda.” This seated female figurine found in a Philistine stratum at Ashdod is a unique complete example of a well-known Philistine cult object. “Ashdoda’s” body merges into a four legged throne. Her flat armless torso and molded breasts outlined in black form the back of the throne. Elongated triangles—a typical Philistine artistic form—and black horizontal bands decorate the white surface of the figurine. The features of Ashdoda figurines—the head, the curved body forming a throne and the legs—are Mycenaean concepts that were borrowed by the Philistines and adapted to their style of design and color.