Western Asiatic South Arabian Inscribed Stele

Western Asiatic South Arabian Inscribed Stele
2nd century BC-1st century AD
A rectangular limestone stele with carved male face of a dignitary and three-character inscription below; the face D-shaped with small rectangular ears and scroll detailing, slit mouth and sharp nose with brow-ridge; vestigial sockets for inserted eyes; some pigment remaining. 2.7 kg, 24cm (9 1/2"). Fine condition.
Provenance
Property of a London gentleman; previously with a central London gallery; formerly in a collection formed in the 1990s.
Literature
See Maigret, A. de Arabia Felix - Un Viaggio nell' Archaeologia dello Yemen, Milan, 1996.