capital
- Museum number
- 1985,0223.108
- Description
-
White limestone column capital carved on three faces with two rows of overlapping and heavily veined acanthus leaves (?) represented above a projecting course of dentils, with a pair of frontal ibex heads on each side at the bottom (right-hand head largely missing) and flanking a recumbent ibex facing left; at sides, indistinct monograms in low relief; possible beam socket at the rear on the top. Top and corners are damaged.
- Production date
- 3rdC BC-3rdC (?)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 49.50 centimetres
-
Width: 31 centimetres
-
Depth: 23.50 centimetres
- Curator's comments
-
According to B. Doe ('Southern Arabia', London 1971, pl. 6) this object was found in the wadi Harib but may come from Marib, a description which suggests that it was part of a group of objects which he apparently collected from a local sheikh in this border area (cf. curatorial comment by A. Porter under 141532).
-
Bowers catalogue entry
Carved stone capital
Limestone
Height 49.5 cm, width 31 cm, thickness 23.5 cm From Marib
ANE 1985-2-23,108
Presented by Brian Doe
Although battered, this stone column capital nevertheless gives a vivid hint of the original splendour of the columned porticoes of certain public buildings. The decoration on the sides shows two rows of overlapping vertical and heavily veined leaves above a projecting course of dentils, the latter being a typical South Arabian architectural motif. It also includes a frieze of frontal ibex (Capra nubiana) heads, one at each corner although the figure on the right is very damaged, and flanking the central motif of a recumbent ibex facing left. There is a slot for a beam in the top at the back of the capital. This capital was acquired in the Wadi Harib but is believed to originally come from a major public building at Marib.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
2004-2005 17 Oct-13 Mar, California, Bowers Museum, 'Queen of Sheba: Legend and Reality'
- Condition
- Fair; top and corners damaged; soft limestone
- Acquisition date
- 1985
- Acquisition notes
- Collected by Brian Doe, Ailsa and Alan Meldrum in 1965 from South Yemen (see curator's comments).
- Department
- Middle East
- Registration number
- 1985,0223.108
- Additional IDs
-
Miscellaneous number: G (marked on small rectangular paper label previously attached to the face)
