ICONIC STELE South Arabian Peninsula, Hymiaritic... Lot 69

ICONIC STELE South Arabian Peninsula, Hymiaritic art, 1st-3rd century White limestone and calcite for the bottom of the eye Dim_ 51,5 x 25 x 25 cm Provenance Former Swiss collection established between 1965 and 1988 Paris, private collection Rectangular iconic stele, the top sculpted with a man's face depicted from the front, oval in shape and characterised by stylised features - large, hollowed-out almond-shaped eyes, the back of the eye inlaid with stone and the pupils excavated. The arched eyebrows are marked by a simple marked by a simple hollowed line extending beyond the outer corner of the eye. The nose is long and straight, the barely open mouth is topped by a topped by a moustache represented by two rows of pickets. The hair is vaguely represented by traces of tools suggesting a short and wavy The hair is vaguely represented by tool marks suggesting a short and wavy mass, and leaving the ears free. The contours of the face are decorated with a beard. Unlike most iconic stelae of this period, this one is distinguished by an impressive high relief work and a delicate expression. delicate expression. Below the neck, an inscription (partially missing) is engraved. engraved. A LARGE SUDARABIC LIMESTONE ICONIC STELAE, 1ST-3RD CENTURY A.D. 203/9 x 96/7 x 96/7 in. Iconic rectangular stele, the top sculpted with a man's face in the form of an elongated oval shape and characterized by stylized features - large almond-shaped eyes with hemmed lids are hollowed out, the back of the eye inlaid with stone and the pupils are excavated. The arched eyebrow aracades are marked by a single scalloped line extending beyond the outer corner of the eye. The nose is long and straight, the barely open mouth is surmounted by a mustache represented by two rows of pickets. The hair is loosely represented by tool marks suggesting a short, wavy mass, leaving the ears exposed. The contours of the face are embellished Unlike most iconic stelae from this period, this one is distinguished by an impressive work in high relief of this portrait and a delicate expression. Below the neck, an inscription (partially missing) is engraved.