South Arabia, possibly Qatabanian, ca. 1st century BCE to 1st century CE. An intriguing stela carved from lush, golden alabaster, the panel featuring a bull's head delineated in relief. The bull presents a high rounded forehead with incised markings for his furry coat, bulging eyes to the sides beneath long curved horns and rounded ears, and a detailed muzzle. The lower end presents a flat panel that may have been inscribed with the name of the deceased at one point in time. Custom wood mount. Size: 3.125" W x 4.375" H (7.9 cm x 11.1 cm); 8.125" H (20.6 cm) on included custom stand.

The bull was a very popular motif on funerery stele, especially at Heid ibn Aqil, the cemetary at Tamna, because it was the symbol of Amm, the patron deity of the Qatabanians who believed that they were the progeny of Amm. The Qatabanians derived great prosperity from agriculture and the incense trade but by the end of the second century CE their kingdom had declined and collapsed.

A South Arabian alabaster funerary stele with a bull's head (in slightly higher relief) and an inscription sold at Christie's New York for $40,000 (Sale 2450, June 9, 2011, lot 31). See http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/Lot/a-south-arabian-alabaster-funerary-stele-circa-5443214-details.aspx

See a similar example at the British Museum in London (accession number 2002.0114.11).

Provenance: private east coast, USA collection

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#127653

Normal surface wear commensurate with age. Stable fissures on left side. Deposits on surface. Root marks over base.