H x W x D: 15.6 x 48.7 x 10.5 cm (6 1/8 x 19 3/16 x 4 1/8 in)
Type:
Architectural Element
Origin:
Yemen
Date:
500 BCE- 200 CE
Description:
Horizontal architectural fragment with ibex head frieze carved in relief. The stone is scratched, abraded and chipped in areas. The piece is finished and polished on all sides except for the back, where the stone is rough and tool marks visible. To either side of the ibex frieze are recessed panels that simulate architectural components. They consist of a larger, sunken rectangles with varying smaller rectangles carved and divided by a band of three parellel lines.
The ibex frieze is highly stylized. The ten ibex heads are almost identical and consist of a pattern of schematic elements. The shape of the head is a long cylinder that flares at the top. This flared area includes the horns and a "v"-shaped form between them. At the base of the horns are small, raised mounds for eyes. Below the eyes, the face of the animal is elongated and not provided with any additional detailing.
Below the ibex frieze is a narrow, thin recessed ledge. There are two, modern drill holes surrounded by penciled circles on the underside of the piece, which served for the mounting of the fragment.
Provenance:
To 1962
Gimpel Fils, London. [1]
From 1962 to 1966
Joseph H. Hirshhorn (1899-1981), purchased from Gimpel Fils, London. [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:
Ancient Yemen: Incense, Art, and Trade (September 3, 2022 - ongoing)
