Lot Essay
For a similar example, dubbed "Miriam" by the Arab workmen at the time of discovery, see no. 270, pp. 194-195 in Simpson, ed., Queen of Sheba, Treasures from Ancient Yemen.
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PROPERTY FROM A CALIFORNIA COLLECTION
A SOUTH ARABIAN ALABASTER HEAD OF A WOMAN
CIRCA 1ST CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.
Details
A SOUTH ARABIAN ALABASTER HEAD OF A WOMAN
CIRCA 1ST CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.
The triangular face with thinly-modelled arching brows, the large half-moon eyes deeply recessed to receive now-missing inlays, with a long straight nose, narrow mouth and projecting ears, roughly-chiseled hair atop the head, arranged in stepped succession along her temples and falling in plaits to either side, on a tall tapering neck
10½ in. (26.7 cm.) high
CIRCA 1ST CENTURY B.C.-1ST CENTURY A.D.
The triangular face with thinly-modelled arching brows, the large half-moon eyes deeply recessed to receive now-missing inlays, with a long straight nose, narrow mouth and projecting ears, roughly-chiseled hair atop the head, arranged in stepped succession along her temples and falling in plaits to either side, on a tall tapering neck
10½ in. (26.7 cm.) high
Provenance
Acquired in Saudi Arabia, 1972.