South Arabian Head of a Man
Circa 3rd century BC to 1st century AD
One of the finest extant examples of South Arabian art – the cover piece of Sabina Antonini’s seminal work on South Arabian statuary.
Acquired in Yemen in the 1960s by Antonin and Christiane Besse, whose collection is regarded among the most important ever assembled in the field, this sculpture is distinguished by its naturalistic modelling, exceptional craftsmanship, and dark blue glass inlays. Widely exhibited and published, it is a masterpiece of South Arabian art.
Now in the collection of the Zayed National Museum, Abu Dhabi.
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Provenance
Collection of Antonin Besse (1927-2016) and Christiane Besse (1928-2021), Paris, acquired in Yemen in the 1960s and legally exported;
Thence by descent to Antonin Louis and Joy-Isabelle Besse.
Exhibited
‘Yémen, Au pays de la reine de Saba’, Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, 25 October 1997 – 28 February 1998.
‘Yemen: Nel Paese della Regina di Saba’, Torino, Palazzo Ruspoli, 6 April 2000 – 30 June 2000.
‘Im Land der Königin von Saba, Staatliches Museum für Völkerkunde München’, 7 July 1999 – 9 January 2000.
‘La Regina di Saba: Arte e Leggenda Dallo Yemen’, Torino, Palazzo Bricherasio, 20 September 2000 – 07 January 2001.
‘Jemen: Kunst und Archäologie im Land der Königin von Saba’, Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, 9 November 1998 – 21 February 1999.
Published
Antonini, S. Repertorio iconographico sudarabico I: La statuaria sudarabica in pietra, Paris and Rome, 2001, p. 91, C51, pl. 44.
Yémen, Au pays de la reine de Saba, Exhibition Catalogue, Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris, 25.10.1997 – 28.02.1998, Paris, 1997, p. 99.
Yemen: Nel Paese della Regina di Saba, Palazzo Ruspoli, 6.04.2000 – 30.06.2000, Skira: Milan, 2000. Cat. No. 151, p.315.
Im Land der Königin von Saba, Staatliches Museum für Völkerkunde München, 7.07.1999 – 9.01.2000, IP, 2000. Cat. No. 22M, p.297.
La Regina di Saba: Arte e Leggenda Dallo Yemen, Torino, Palazzo Bricherasio, 20.09.2000 – 07.01.2001, Electa, Milan, 2000. p. 52.
Jemen: Kunst und Archäologie im Land der Königin von Saba, Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, 9.11.1998 – 21.02.1999, Skira, 1999. Cat. No. 155, p. 292-3.
