Saba Stone Bearded head of a priest - 23 cm
08
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24
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Current bid
€ 1,000
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Ruth Garrido Vila
Directed the Ifergan Collection Museum, specialising in Phoenician and Mediterranean archaeology.
Estimate € 8,200 - € 10,000
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 Bidder 0913 | €1,000 |
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Bearded head of a priest from Saba culture, carved in limestone in high relief, circa 1st century BC, height 23 cm.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
A Sabean (South Arabian) bearded head of a priest.
Circa 1st century BC.
High-relief in limestone.
Height: 23 cm.
This striking head must have been an architectural fragment from a notable public or ceremonial building, and pertains to the ancient kingdom of Saba which ruled over the lands of southwestern Arabia, centered in modern day Yemen. Technically, the Sabeans are one of four major powers in this area, also including the Minaeans, the Qatabanians and the Hadramites, but the peoples as a whole became subsumed as a single entity by the middle of the first millennium BC. Saba is perhaps better known as Sheba, whose famous Queen was recounted as having visited Solomon in the pages of the Old Testament. The wealth of the kingdom was legendary, and was primarily attributable to Saba’s position at the crossroads of the ancient world, receiving consignments (particularly of incense) from all across the Middle East, Asia and the Mediterranean basin. The city of Marib was also in an ideal position to control the trade route between India to Egypt, although this lucrative venture was cut short in the 1st century AD following the foundation of a nautical route from India directly to the port of Alexandria.
This male human head is carved from a single piece of limestone. Ovoid face with a rounded forehead, the eyes are rounded ovals, and are heavily indented; it is likely that they once held insets (made from shell and semi-precious stones) to give a startlingly vivid expression to this austere visage. The brows grooved, the nose angular and the lips protruding, with naso-labial folds and a rounded bearded chin. Hair carved in small curls.
Provenance:
De Montfort collection.
Mr A. collection, Paris, acquired prior to 1996.
Purchased by the current owner in 2020.
Published:
F. Antonovich, Les Métamorphoses Divines d’Alexandre,
Paris, 1996, p. 35.
Provenance: The Supplier warrants that he obtained this lot legally. Provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
Important: For destinations out of Spanish territorry: all our objects will be shipped after obtaining CERTIFICATE OF EXPORTATION by Ministry of Culture of Spain. We inform our clients that it may take between 4-8 weeks.
A Sabean (South Arabian) bearded head of a priest.
Circa 1st century BC.
High-relief in limestone.
Height: 23 cm.
This striking head must have been an architectural fragment from a notable public or ceremonial building, and pertains to the ancient kingdom of Saba which ruled over the lands of southwestern Arabia, centered in modern day Yemen. Technically, the Sabeans are one of four major powers in this area, also including the Minaeans, the Qatabanians and the Hadramites, but the peoples as a whole became subsumed as a single entity by the middle of the first millennium BC. Saba is perhaps better known as Sheba, whose famous Queen was recounted as having visited Solomon in the pages of the Old Testament. The wealth of the kingdom was legendary, and was primarily attributable to Saba’s position at the crossroads of the ancient world, receiving consignments (particularly of incense) from all across the Middle East, Asia and the Mediterranean basin. The city of Marib was also in an ideal position to control the trade route between India to Egypt, although this lucrative venture was cut short in the 1st century AD following the foundation of a nautical route from India directly to the port of Alexandria.
This male human head is carved from a single piece of limestone. Ovoid face with a rounded forehead, the eyes are rounded ovals, and are heavily indented; it is likely that they once held insets (made from shell and semi-precious stones) to give a startlingly vivid expression to this austere visage. The brows grooved, the nose angular and the lips protruding, with naso-labial folds and a rounded bearded chin. Hair carved in small curls.
Provenance:
De Montfort collection.
Mr A. collection, Paris, acquired prior to 1996.
Purchased by the current owner in 2020.
Published:
F. Antonovich, Les Métamorphoses Divines d’Alexandre,
Paris, 1996, p. 35.
Provenance: The Supplier warrants that he obtained this lot legally. Provenance statement seen by Catawiki. Important information. The seller guarantees that he is entitled to ship this lot. The seller will take care that any necessary permits will be arranged. The seller will inform the buyer about this if this takes more than a few days.
Important: For destinations out of Spanish territorry: all our objects will be shipped after obtaining CERTIFICATE OF EXPORTATION by Ministry of Culture of Spain. We inform our clients that it may take between 4-8 weeks.
Details
Culture
Saba
Century/ Timeframe
Circa 1st century BC
Name of object
Bearded head of a priest
Acquired from
Private collection
Year acquired
2020
Material
Stone
Country acquired from
Spain
Condition
Good
Previous owner acquired from
Private collection
Height
23 cm
Previous owner - year acquired
1996
Previous owner - country acquired from
France
I verify that I have obtained this object legally and that I am allowed to sell it
Yes
Sold by
Disclaimer
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
The seller was informed by Catawiki about documentation requirements and guarantees the following: - the object was legally obtained, - the seller has the right to sell and/or export the object, as relevant, - the seller will provide the necessary provenance information and arrange required documentation and permits/licenses, as applicable and as per local laws, - the seller will notify the buyer of any delays in obtaining permits/licenses. By bidding, you acknowledge that import documentation may be required depending on your country of residence and that obtaining permits/licenses may cause delays in the delivery of your object.
