South Arabian Qatabanian Alabaster Beehive Jar w/ Lid

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Ancient / Ethnographic Art Through The Ages

By Artemis Gallery

Jul 16, 2020

Set Reminder 2020-07-16 10:00:00 2020-07-16 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Ancient / Ethnographic Art Through The Ages https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/ancient-ethnographic-art-through-the-ages-5334
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• Lot Description
  Ancient Middle East, South Arabia, Qatabanian culture, ca. 3rd century BCE to 1st century CE. A beautiful example of a squat jar with an accompanying lid that are both hand-carved from honey-yellow alabaster with integral cream-hued bands that illuminate when placed next to a light source. The jar body is defined by a slightly rounded but stable base, a tapered, bell-shaped body, a sloped shoulder encircling the raised rim, and a drilled-out interior cavity. Protruding from the shoulder are two abstract zoomorphic heads, perhaps bull heads, that double as handles with pierced string holes through the septum of each snout. The discoid lid has a protruding lower ring that fits within the rim as well as a pierced conical handle. Size (w/ lid): 5.625" W x 5.1" H (14.3 cm x 13 cm)
  
  Beehive vessels like this one have been found at several sites throughout Arabia, with most coming from Yemen, although similar examples have been found as far afield as Bahrain. These vessels were made to hold oily unguents, frankincense, and myrrh. As a result, they are often found along trade routes like the Nabataean route in the Negev.
  
  A stylistically similar example, with a lid surmounted by an abstract animal, hammered for $12,500 at Sotheby's, New York "Antiquities" auction (December 5, 2007, lot 35).
  
  Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-Dr. Sid Port collection, California, USA, acquired in the 1980s
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
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  #152950

  Condition

  Losses to areas of shoulder and rim as shown. Lid is perhaps not original to the vessel body. Minor abrasions to base, body, zoomorphic handles, rim, and lid, with light encrustations within body, and softening to some zoomorphic details. Nice earthen deposits and smooth patina throughout.
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