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THBTranslated South Arabian Limestone Funerary Stele
Lot 101a
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$3,500 - $5,000
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Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Oct 31, 2019
Set Reminder
2019-10-31 10:00:00
2019-10-31 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Fine Antiquities, Asian, Ethnographic Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/fine-antiquities-asian-ethnographic-art-4581
Our Halloween Day auction features classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe, plus fine art. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Our Halloween Day auction features classical antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art from cultures encompassing the globe, plus fine art. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (467)
- Lot Description
Ancient Middle East, South Arabia, Qatabanian culture, ca. 3rd century BCE. A wonderful funerary stele of a tall, rectangular form, hand-carved from white limestone that has assumed an age-commensurate warm yellow hue. The center of the stele features a stylized, expressionless face with heavy-lidded, almond-shaped eyes, a slender nose stemming from thin eyebrows, a petite mouth with thin lips, and semicircular ears protruding from either side of the smooth forehead. Three Qatabanian characters below the angular chin denotes the name of the deceased - read from right to left - as "Bewatheh" or "Bethwathaw." Traces of white pigment are visible across the face as well as the peripheries and suggest the stele was at one time painted with vivid colors. Size: 7.5" W x 13.625" H (19 cm x 34.6 cm); 14.7" H (37.3 cm) on included custom stand.
The deceased in this part of the world were often represented by anthropomorphic funerary stelae like this one; however, the face is highly stylized, and it is doubtful that this is a portrait of a known individual. They have been found in three areas, one of which was the cemetery at Tamna, the capital city of Qataban. The Kingdom of Qataban rose to prominence in the second half of the 1st millennium BCE, because it controlled the trade in frankincense and myrrh, incenses required to be burned at altars during religious rituals further north and west. A haunting and intriguing object, certain to spark conversation, as well as a reminder of the deeper history of the Middle East.
A stylistically similar example, of a slightly larger size and with a name comprised of four Qatabanian characters, hammered for GBP 8,750 ($10,789.14) at Christie's, London "Antiquities" auction (sale 10372, April 15, 2015, lot 68).
Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA; ex-Arte Primitivo Gallery, New York, New York, USA; ex-private New York, New York, USA collection
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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#150042Restoration to areas of face and chin, with resurfacing and overpainting along new material. Losses to parts of nose, one ear, peripheries, and verso as shown. Nicks and abrasions to body, face, and peripheries, with light softening to some finer details, and fading to original pigmentation. Great earthen deposits throughout, and name is still legible. Areas of modern blue pigment across forehead, peripheries, and verso.Condition
- Shipping Info
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