A SOUTH ARABIAN BRONZE COUPLE

CIRCA MID 3RD CENTURY A.D.

细节

A SOUTH ARABIAN BRONZE COUPLE
Circa Mid 3rd Century A.D.
Cast with a lovemaking scene, the woman lying on her back with her legs raised, her right hand holding her lover's neck, her left resting on his back, a bracelet on each wrist, an armlet on her right arm and an anklet on both ankles, her hair bound in a chignon, the man with his arms in similar position, his hair with striations, an inscription on his shoulders with the proper name "Malihum," a longer inscription on her back reading, "Amat Yasmaw has confessed (her) sin, (even) the daughter of Bashemat"
4¾ in. (12 cm) long

来源

Acquired by the previous owner circa 1985

拍品专文

This bronze and several others similar were made as part of punishment for an illegal act, in this case for a disallowed sexual encounter, to be put on public display in a temple. For a related example see figs. 1-3 in Al-Mazroo, "A Unique Coupled Statuette from Najran (Saudia Arabia)," Arabian Archaeology & Epigraphy; and for a plaque showing a similar scene see p. 125 in Robin and Vogt, eds., Yémen au pays de la reine de Saba.