A large rectangular limestone stele with carved male face of a dignitary and three-character inscription below; the face stylised with beard extending to the exterior from the temples under the chin, small rectangular ears with scroll detailing, small mouth and sharp nose with brow-ridge; inset marble scaphoid eyes with sockets for separate pupils; the inscription carefully engraved '11°' (possibly a patronymic); mounted on a custom-made stand.

PROVENANCE:
Property of a London gentleman; acquired from Phoenix Ancient Art, Geneva, Switzerland, in 2015; with Christie's, London, 15 April 2015, lot 70 [£8,000-£12,000], accompanied by copies of the relevant Christie's catalogue pages; formerly on the UK art market since 1985; accompanied by a copy of the gallery listing, photographs, and invoice.

LITERATURE:
See Maigret, A. de Arabia Felix - Un Viaggio nell' Archaeologia dello Yemen, Milan, 1996.