**First Time At Auction**

Ancient Near East, Southern Arabia, near modern day Yemen, ca. 3rd century BCE to 1st century CE. An impressive and quite noble stone head presenting typical South Arabian characteristics of a somber countenance with almond-shaped eyes, arched brows, a straight nose, high cheekbones, and closed mouth, all flanked by a pair of high-set ears and a chin-length coiffure. During the first millennium BCE, this part of the world saw several kingdoms - Qataban, Saba (Sheba), and Himyar - emerge that had built their wealth upon desert trade and in particular frankincense and myrrh. The people of these kingdoms created many figural representations from stone, many of which were flat panels with high relief faces depicting the dead and made to mark tombs. Stone heads like this example seem to have been made to be placed into tombs as votive offerings - acts of piety, designed to invoke the favor of a god, but also serving as public displays of wealth and status. Size: 2.4" W x 2.5" H (6.1 cm x 6.4 cm); 4.9" H (12.4 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: East Coast collection, New York Gallery, New York City, New York, USA, acquired before 2010

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#177864

Fragment of a larger piece with some small chips to nose and ears, as well as nicks and abrasions to surface, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, excellent with nice preservation of detail. Old Arte Primitivo collection label on underside of base.