Object Details
Description
Sculpture in the round of a standing human figure, of translucent alabaster. Eyes modeled with pupils; eyebrows are carved and recessed to receive inlays. Ears lie flat against side of head, with detailed interior. Mouth modeled with moustache and beard composed of regular rows of perforations. Nearly Roman nose, straight and modelled. Both arms of figure bent at right angles at elbows. Figure wears a long robe which extends below knee. Figure, although male, has two breast-like protrusions on the chest. Hips and buttocks schematically modelled on back side of sculpture. Legs and feet are schematically carved, lacking detail except for incised grooves on feet defining five toes. Figure stands on rectangular platform carved out of the same stone, with an inscription on front of face of block. Remaining faces of block are smoothed, yet uninscribed.
Inscriptions
Ancient South Arabian (Himyaridic or Sayhadic) inscription on front of face of block.
Label
This statue belongs to a large group of carved standing figures that served as funerary monuments in the ancient kingdom of Qataban (ca. 500-100 B.C.E.), located in what is now Yemen at the southern tip of the Arabian peninsula. The inscription on the front of the statue base, written in ancient South Arabian script, gives the personal name of the figure depicted. Funerary monuments like this one commemorated the deceased, whose name was often carved at the base of the statue.
Qatab¯an was one of several kingdoms that prospered in antiquity as they gained control over the caravan trade routes across the Arabian peninsula. Frankincense and myrrh, prized products of the southern peninsula, were transported along the trade routes to Mediterranean markets.
Provenance
To 1965
André Emmerich Gallery, New York. [1]
From 1965 to 1966
Joseph H. Hirshhorn (1899-1981), purchased from André Emmerich Gallery, New York. [2]
From 1966 to 1986
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, gift of Joseph H. Hirshhorn. [3]
From 1986
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, transferred from Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC [4]
Notes:
[1] See document from the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, object file, Collections Management Office.
[2] See note 1.
[3] See note 1.
[4] See note 1. See also object file, Collections Management Office.
Collection
National Museum of Asian Art Collection
Exhibition History
Ancient Yemen: Incense, Art, and Trade (September 3, 2022 - ongoing)
A Glimpse of Ancient Yemen (August 18, 2018 to March 30, 2021)
Facing East: Portraits from Asia (July 1 to September 4, 2006)
Previous custodian or owner
Joseph H. Hirshhorn (1899-1981)
André Emmerich Gallery (1954-1998)
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Credit Line
Gift of Joseph H. Hirshhorn to the Smithsonian Institution
Date
ca. 2nd century BCE
Period
Kingdom of Qataban
Accession Number
S1986.514
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Sculpture
Medium
Calcite travertine
Dimensions
H x W x D: 46.4 x 14.2 x 8.8 cm (18 1/4 x 5 9/16 x 3 7/16 in)
Origin
Yemen
On View
East Building (Arthur M. Sackler Gallery), Gallery 22b: Ancient Yemen: Incense, Art, and Trade
Related Online Resources
Google Arts & Culture
See more items in
National Museum of Asian Art
Data Source
National Museum of Asian Art
Topic
stone
man
Yemen
Ancient Near Eastern Art
Kingdom of Qataban (ca. 500 BCE - 100 CE)
Link to Original Record
Record ID
fsg_S1986.514