"Thymiaterion". Phoenicia

This magnificent thymiaterion (perfume burner) is a unique piece in Western Phoenician colonies. Its discovery in the surrounding area of Punta del Nao, together with a large quantity of findings of a votive type, relate it to the temple which, according to Pliny the Elder, was in this promontory for the cult of Venus Marina. This is clearly a Romanisation of the Phoenician Astarte, who, together with Melqart and Baal, forms the official triad worshipped in Tyre and, most likely, also in Gadir. Astarte symbolises the principle of femininity - fertility- and her symbols are the planet Venus and the Moon, from which she is attributed importance as a deity linked to astronomical navigation. This representation of the goddess` procreator, nautical and astral nature can be seen in the thymiaterion from Cádiz: lotus flowers, vessels, moons and/or rising suns (Venus is only to be seen at sunrise or sunset). ; This rich compositional scheme is supported by three servants of Egyptian appearance, one in each corner of the piece.