South Arabian Alabaster Statue

South Arabian Calcite female figure 3rd Century BC to 1st century A.D.

A magnificent alabaster female figure, a fine example of the well-studied grace that characterises South Arabian art. The figure is standing with extended arms and clenched fists, the sensitively carved face exudes power and mystery, with large, almond-shaped eyes, sweeping eyebrows, straight nose, and gently smiling lips.

The South Arabian kingdom of Qataban rose to prominence in the fourth century BC. Its capital, Timna - according to Pliny the Elder, adorned with 65 temples - was an important stop along the incense trade route, thanks to which it became an extremely prosperous and sophisticated economic and cultural centre. The style of the present figure suggests it comes from Haid bin Aqil, Timna’s necropolis, where some of the greatest treasures of South Arabian art have been discovered. Qatabanian sculptors were greatly skilled, and well known for the subtlety and elegance of their designs. Their strikingly modern figures fascinated and inspired some of the most important artists of the early twentieth century, including Pablo Picasso and Amedeo Modigliani.

Complete figures of this type with an original surface and documented provenance very seldom pass into private hands; this piece represents not only a superb piece of ancient sculpture, but a real rarity on the art market today.

Height: 30.5 cm

Provenance:

Probably from Haid bin Aqil, the necropolis of ancient Timna.

French private collection, Aden and Paris, acquired in Yemen in the 1960s and legally exported to France. With French cultural property passport.

Published:

Yémen, Au pays de la reine de Saba, p. 100 Sabina Antonini, La statuaria sudarabica in pietra, Paris and Rome, 2001, p. 112.

Price

£135000.00

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance