Stele with Bull’s Head

Stele decorated with the head of a bull, highly modelled and incised, centered horizontally in smoothed background field. The bull is simply and inexpertly rendered, with two horns separated from top corners of hexagonal-shaped head by two modelled ridges incised with regular cross-striations. Two triangular ears emerge against field on either side at eye level of bull’s head. Interior of ears slightly carved. Triangular forelock points down from rounded top of head to snout between the horns. Chiselled fur markings indicate forelock. Eyes defined at two side corners of hexagonal head by three semicircular incisions. Rounded snout points downward from bottom of hexagonal head. Nose wrinkles represented as two zig-zag lines on front surface of snout. Rectangular ledge bearing inscription in ancient South Arabian (Himyaridic or Sayhadic) script on front face protrudes from bottom of field.

The sculpture is good condition. Front surface is slightly scratched and incision on eyes and snout is worn. Edges of field are straight, but slightly abraded. Top left corner fragmented and missing. Back surface is flat, yet unfinished and bears signs of chisel marks.

Historical period(s)
Kingdom of Qataban, ca. 1st century BCE
Medium
Calcite alabaster
Dimensions
H x W x D: 26.8 x 17.6 x 9.3 cm (10 9/16 x 6 15/16 x 3 11/16 in)
Geography
Yemen
Credit Line
Gift of Joseph H. Hirshhorn to the Smithsonian Institution
Collection
Arthur M. Sackler Collection
Accession Number
S1986.517
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Sculpture, Stone
Type

Stele

Keywords
bull, Kingdom of Qataban (ca. 500 BCE - 100 CE), Yemen
Provenance

To 1972
Joseph H. Hirshhorn (1899-1981). [1]

From 1972 to 1986
Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, gift of Joseph H. Hirshhorn. [2]

From 1986
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, transferred from Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC [3]

Notes:

[1] See document from the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, object file, Collections Management Office.

[2] See note 1.

[3] See note 1. See also object file, Collections Management Office.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
Joseph H. Hirshhorn 1899-1981

Description

Stele decorated with the head of a bull, highly modelled and incised, centered horizontally in smoothed background field. The bull is simply and inexpertly rendered, with two horns separated from top corners of hexagonal-shaped head by two modelled ridges incised with regular cross-striations. Two triangular ears emerge against field on either side at eye level of bull's head. Interior of ears slightly carved. Triangular forelock points down from rounded top of head to snout between the horns. Chiselled fur markings indicate forelock. Eyes defined at two side corners of hexagonal head by three semicircular incisions. Rounded snout points downward from bottom of hexagonal head. Nose wrinkles represented as two zig-zag lines on front surface of snout. Rectangular ledge bearing inscription in ancient South Arabian (Himyaridic or Sayhadic) script on front face protrudes from bottom of field.

The sculpture is good condition. Front surface is slightly scratched and incision on eyes and snout is worn. Edges of field are straight, but slightly abraded. Top left corner fragmented and missing. Back surface is flat, yet unfinished and bears signs of chisel marks.

Label

This stele, or carved and inscribed stone slab, depicts the head of a bull.  A number of similar stelae have been excavated in Yemen at the site of Timna', the ancient capital of the kingdom of Qatab¯an (ca. 500-100 B.C.E.), where they were dedicated in cult buildings that served a funerary purpose.  The inscription, written in South Arabian script, names the donor of the stela.  The animal may be the symbol of a local god.

Qatab¯an was one of several kingdoms that prospered in antiquity as they gained control over the caravan trade routes across the Arabian peninsula. Frankincense and myrrh, prized products of South Arabia, were transported along the trade routes to Mediterranean markets.

Collection Area(s)
Ancient Near Eastern Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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