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LOT 0191
South Arabian Alabaster Sculpture of a Man with Inscription
3RD-1ST CENTURY B.C.
10 5/8 in. (3.62 kg total, 27.1 cm including stand).
On a rectangular background, shallow sockets and grooved eyebrows, elongated nose and face, mouth faintly indicated by a straight incised line, large, protruding ears; traces of beard under the chin, vertical lines representing hair; name engraved in Arabian letters beneath the chin; mounted on a custom-made display stand.
ProvenanceUK collection, 1990s.
Acquired on the UK art market, before 2000.
Private collection, Mr M.V., a London-based businessman.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Cf. for the style of the head Cleveland R.L., An Ancient South Arabian Necropolis, objects from the second campaign (1951) in the Timna Cemetery, Baltimore, 1951, pls. 20,23. for similar examples; Simpson, S., Queen of Sheba. Treasures from Ancient Yemen, London, 2002, p.119, no.128.
FootnotesWithin South Arabia, there was a well-developed ancient tradition of carving funerary sculptures from a calcite-alabaster stone. The eyes and eyebrows of the heads were usually inlaid or (like probably here) highlighted with red or black pigment. The figure is inscribed on the base with the name of the dedicant, or with the personal name of the dead person.
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AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0191
South Arabian Alabaster Sculpture of a Man with Inscription
Sold for (Inc. bp): £910
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West Central Asian Bronze Stamp Seal with Quadrate Cross
Circa 2300-2000 B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Discoid stamp seal with segmented face; accompanied by an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stamp Seal of Bronze. 51x51x16 mm. This is round with zig-zag outer edge, flat face and flat back in the centre of which is a loop handle on inverted U-shape. the design, which is both compartmented and open-work, consists of a quadrate cross within an outer band which as loops on its inner side, and the zig-zag on its outer side. This comes from west central Asia and dates to c.2300-2000 B.C. It is covered with incrustation, which could be removed. The metal appears to be in good condition.' 68.2 grams, 52 mm
Acquired in the late 1980s-early 1990s. Ex property of a West London businessman. Academically researched and catalogued by the late Professor Lambert in the early 1990s. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Western Asiatic Bronze Figure of a Bull
Circa 1000-600 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £293
Modelled in a powerful stance with its legs spread, erect head with large curving horns. 151 grams, 88 mm
Nicolas Koutoulakis (1910-1996), thence by descent. Ex Galerie Khnoum, Geneva, Switzerland. Private collection of Mr K.A. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Achaemenid Light Blue Glass and Faience Bead Necklace String
6th-4th century B.C. and laterSold for (Inc. bp): £52
Composed of mixed graduated beads, central feature with a large annular faience bead; restrung. 19 grams, 39.7 cm
From the London, UK, art market in the 1990s. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
