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Catalog Data

Medium:
Calcite travertine
Dimensions:
H x W x D: 41.2 x 14.8 x 10.8 cm (16 1/4 x 5 13/16 x 4 1/4 in)
Type:
Sculpture
Origin:
Yemen
Date:
ca. 1st century BCE
Period:
Kingdom of Qataban
Description:
Sculpture in the round of a standing human figure, of translucent travertine. The eyes are modeled realistically; the ears lie flat against the head, with detailed interior. The mouth is modelled with moustache and beard composed of regular rows of perforation. Nearly aquiline nose, straight and modelled. Both arms of figure are bent at right angles at elbows. Right forearm missing, left forearm complete with fist clenched. Cylindrical drilled perforation pierced through clenched left fist, indicates an instrument once rested in gripping fist; the fingers are schematically modelled on left hand.
The figure wears a long robe, which extends below the knees. Two breast-like protrusions are sculpted on the chest. Hips and buttocks schematically rendered on back of figure. Legs and feet schematically modelled. The lower legs are conical and taper towards ankles. All ten toes are separated by grooved lines. The figure stands on a rectangular base carved with smooth faces out of the same stone. Front of base carved with ancient South Arabian (Himyaridic or Sayhadic) inscription.
The figure is in excellent condition, with few minor scrapes and abrasions. The head of the statue appears to have broken off and been glued back together as there is an orange vein of either adhesive or natural mineral in the rock which separates the neck from the torso. Surface of this bonding area is smoothed over, and front soiling is not present around fracture, indicating the extra adhesive was sanded off after initial rejoining. It is not clear whether this restoration was completed in antiquity or in modern times.
Provenance:
To 1965
André Emmerich Gallery, New York. [1]
From 1965 to 1966
Joseph H. Hirshhorn (1899-1981), purchased from André Emmerich Gallery, New York. [2]
From 1966 to 1986
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, gift of Joseph H. Hirshhorn. [3]
From 1986
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, transferred from Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC [4]
Notes:
[1] See document from the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, object file, Collections Management Office.
[2] See note 1.
[3] See note 1.
[4] See note 1. See also object file, Collections Management Office.
Collection:
National Museum of Asian Art Collection
Exhibition History:
A Glimpse of Ancient Yemen (August 18, 2018 to March 30, 2021)
Facing East: Portraits from Asia (July 1 to September 4, 2006)
Previous custodian or owner:
Joseph H. Hirshhorn (1899-1981)
André Emmerich Gallery
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Topic:
stone  Search this
man  Search this
Yemen  Search this
Ancient Near Eastern Art  Search this
Kingdom of Qataban (ca. 500 BCE - 100 CE)  Search this
Credit Line:
Gift of Joseph H. Hirshhorn to the Smithsonian Institution
Accession Number:
S1986.513
Restrictions & Rights:
Usage conditions apply
Related Online Resources:
Google Cultural Institute
See more items in:
Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Collection
Data Source:
Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ye3bcdc1430-f7cb-46b0-b146-83874b86c1fd
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:fsg_S1986.513