South Arabian Funerary Stele – Arabian Peninsula, Pre-islamic Yemen, 1st–3rd Centuries

South Arabian funerary stele – Arabian Peninsula, pre-Islamic Yemen, 1st–3rd centuries

Very rare South Arabian funerary stele carved from sand-colored hard stone, carved in bas-relief, from the Arabian Peninsula (present-day Yemen), dating from around the 1st–3rd centuries CE (or possibly earlier), during the pre-Islamic period.

This elegant rectangular stele (23.5 × 18.5 cm; thickness: 4.5 cm) depicts two stylized figures, shown from the front and holding hands, in a manner characteristic of South Arabian funerary art. Above the figures is an inscription engraved in the ancient South Arabian alphabet (Musnad), likely identifying the deceased or listing their names.

Stelae of this type are among the most iconic artifacts of the ancient kingdoms of South Arabia, which were contemporaneous with the Roman Empire. They bear witness to a unique artistic tradition, characterized by the stylization of faces and bodies, as well as by the importance accorded to the funerary inscription. This part of the ancient world saw the emergence of several kingdoms: Qataban, Saba (Sheba), and Himyar, which built their wealth on desert trade, particularly in frankincense and myrrh.

These works have now become particularly rare on the international market. Many have disappeared over the centuries, particularly during periods of iconoclasm, while those preserved in their countries of origin are now protected by laws prohibiting their export. The ancient pieces available on the market come primarily from old collections assembled before current regulations were enacted.

This piece comes from a historic French collection and was legally acquired on the French art market at auction.

A high-quality archaeological artifact, as rare as it is evocative of the ancient civilizations of Southern Arabia, intended for a discerning collector or an enthusiast of Near Eastern archaeology.

Dimensions: 23.5 × 18.5 cm; thickness 4.5 cm.

Price excludes shipping costs

Police Registry Ref.: A128

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