South Arabia, modern day Yemen, ca. 1st millennium BCE. A creamy, in places translucent, marble slab from a headstone. At the bottom, is a clear inscription on two lines in the ancient Yemeni alphabet (also known as Old South Arabian), probably in the language of the Kingdom of Qataban. The deceased in ancient Saudi Arabia were often represented in anthropomorphic funerary stelae like this piece comes from; above the piece here would have been a smooth, unbearded face. Stelae have been found in three areas, including the cemetery at Tamna, the capital city of Qataban. Marble indicates that this was the headstone of a high status individual, as many are made of rougher limestone. Comes with custom stand. Size: 2.5" L x 3.8" W x 6.9" H (6.4 cm x 9.7 cm x 17.5 cm); height on stand: 9.25" (23.5 cm)

Provenance: private New Jersey USA collection, acquired over twenty years ago

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#121524

Piece is a fragment, with a rough back and some surface scoring on the smooth face. The inscription appears readable.