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Queen of Sheba

Also known as: Queen of Sheba; primary name: Sheba; other name: (Koningin van) Seba; other name: (Queen) Balqís; other name: (Reine de) Saba; other name: Belkiz; other name: Magda; other name: Maqeda; other name: Queen of Sheba
Details: individual; ruler; biblical figure; Female
Biography: Legendary ancient ruler of the kingdom of Saba (present day Yemen) first attested from the Old Testament; also described as "Queen of the South" in the New Testament, given the name Belqis in the Quran and said to come from Ethiopia according to later Ethiopian tradition. The Bible (Book of Kings) and Quran relate how she set off to visit King Solomon (q.v., reigned mid 10thC BC) in Jerusalem to test his wisdom with 'hard questions'. Although the kingdom of Saba is a historical entity, there is no evidence to support a female ruler of any kind in this land, and there are no surviving inscriptions etc. However her figure appealed to a wealth of artists, writers, composers and designers who from the late Middle Ages onwards have depicted her in many artworks. Among the largest and most celebrated of these depictions is the enormous painting by Sir Edward John Poynter in the Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney of c.1890, 'The Queen of Sheba's Visit to King Solomon' for which many drawings survive, many in the collection of the British Museum.
Bibliography: St John Simpson (ed.), 'Queen of Sheba: Treasures from Ancient Yemen', British Museum Press 2002.

150 related objects

admission-ticket

Museum number: EPH-ME.145 |
Production date: 2002 |
Production place: Made in:British Isles

album; drawing

Museum number: 1889,0527.65 |
Producer name: Circle/School of:Maso FiniguerraCircle/School of:Baccio Baldini |
Production date: 1470-1475

artefact

Museum number: 2012,2022.3 |
Production date: 20thC |
Production place: Made in:Ethiopia

audio tape

Museum number: EPH-ME.248 |
Production date: 1894 |
Production place: Made in:USA

bag

Museum number: EPH-ME.142 |
Production date: 2002 |
Production place: Made in:British Isles

book

Museum number: EPH-ME.307 |
Producer name: Author:Victor SardouxPublished by:Chariot Books |
Production date: 1959 |
Production place: Published in:USA

book

Museum number: EPH-ME.136 |
Production date: 20thC

book

Museum number: EPH-ME.138 |
Production date: 1959 |
Production place: Made in:USA

book

Museum number: EPH-ME.305 |
Producer name: Author:Helene EliatDecorated by:Otto Linnekogel |
Production date: 1932 |
Production place: Published in:New York (city)

book

Museum number: EPH-ME.367 |
Production date: 1959 |
Production place: Made in:USA

book

Museum number: EPH-ME.309 |
Producer name: Author:Phinneas A CrutchPublished by:G P Putnam's Sons |
Production date: 1922 |
Production place: Published in:New York (city)

book

Museum number: EPH-ME.306 |
Producer name: Author:J C MardrusPublished by:The Casanova Society |
Production date: 1924 |
Production place: Published in:London (England)

book

Museum number: EPH-ME.308 |
Producer name: Author:Max GordonPrinted by:The Griffin Press |
Production date: 1966 |
Production place: Printed in:Adelaide

book

Museum number: EPH-ME.137 |
Production date: 1959 |
Production place: Made in:USA

book-mark

Museum number: EPH-ME.245 |
Production date: 2002 |
Production place: Made in:England

bottle

Museum number: EPH-ME.46 |
Production date: 21stC |
Production place: Made in:Adana (city) |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Turkey

bottle

Museum number: EPH-ME.322 |
Producer name: AUTH237498 Made by:Thomas Coppock |
Production date: 19thC-20thC |
Production place: Made in:Stockport

bottle

Museum number: EPH-ME.147 |
Production date: 2002 |
Production place: Made in:British Isles

card

Museum number: EPH-ME.118 |
Production date: 2002 |
Production place: Printed in:Yemen

cigarette-card

Museum number: EPH-ME.329 |
Producer name: BIOG176730 Drawn by:A K Macdonald |
Production date: 1920s

coffee equipment

Museum number: EPH-ME.97 |
Cultures/periods: x13943 Heisei Era |
Production date: 1998 |
Production place: Made in:Japan |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Fukuoka-shi

coffee equipment

Museum number: EPH-ME.244 |
Production date: 2002 |
Production place: Made in:Italy

coffee equipment; sample

Museum number: 2012,2024.1 |
Production date: 2001 |
Production place: Made in:Ethiopia

cushion-cover

Museum number: 2012,2022.7 |
Production date: 20thC |
Production place: Made in:Ethiopia

drawing; print study

Museum number: 1854,0211.82 |
Producer name: Drawn by:Feodor Iwanowitsch KalmückAfter:Lorenzo Ghiberti |
Production date: 1798

drawing

Museum number: 1919,1216.35 |
Producer name: BIOG42557 Drawn by:Edward John Poynter |
Production date: 1891

drawing; sketch-book

Museum number: 1957,1214.120 |
Producer name: BIOG22979 Drawn by:Claude Lorrain |
Production date: 1648-1682

drawing; print study; album

Museum number: 1921,0411.35 |
Producer name: Drawn by:Jacob de WitAfter:Peter Paul Rubens |
Production date: 1749

drawing

Museum number: 1931,0613.15 |
Producer name: BIOG42557 Drawn by:Edward John Poynter |
Production date: 1891

drawing

Museum number: 1931,0613.14 |
Producer name: BIOG42557 Drawn by:Edward John Poynter |
Production date: 1891

film still

Museum number: EPH-ME.254.5 |
Production date: 1959 |
Production place: Made in:USA

film still

Museum number: EPH-ME.254.3 |
Production date: 1959 |
Production place: Made in:USA

film still

Museum number: EPH-ME.254.2 |
Production date: 1959 |
Production place: Made in:USA

film still

Museum number: EPH-ME.133.3 |
Production date: 2002

film still

Museum number: EPH-ME.244.4 |
Production date: 1959 |
Production place: Made in:USA

film still

Museum number: EPH-ME.254.1 |
Production date: 1959 |
Production place: Made in:USA

film still

Museum number: EPH-ME.131 |
Production date: 1921 |
Production place: Made in:USA

film still

Museum number: EPH-ME.135.3 |
Production date: 1959

film still

Museum number: EPH-ME.224 |
Production date: 2002 |
Production place: Made in:British Isles

folder

Museum number: EPH-ME.365 |
Production date: 2004 |
Production place: Made for:Bowers MuseumPrinted in:Los Angeles

fridge-magnet

Museum number: EPH-ME.1171 |
Production date: 2004 |
Production place: Made for:Bowers MuseumIssued in:Los Angeles

greeting-card

Museum number: EPH-ME.470 |
Producer name: BIOG25857 After:Edmund Dulac |
Production date: 2004 |
Production place: Made for:Bowers MuseumPrinted in:Canada

leaflet

Museum number: EPH-ME.562 |
Production date: 2002 |
Production place: Made in:British Isles |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:London (England)

leaflet

Museum number: EPH-ME.368 |
Production date: December 2008 |
Production place: Printed in:Norwich (Norfolk)

leaflet

Museum number: EPH-ME.686 |
Production date: December 1957 |
Production place: Made in:Stratford-upon-Avon

leaflet

Museum number: EPH-ME.120 |
Production date: 2001 |
Production place: Printed in:Sanaa |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Sanaa

leaflet

Museum number: EPH-ME.223 |
Production date: 2002 |
Production place: Made in:British Isles

leaflet

Museum number: EPH-ME.222 |
Production date: 2002 |
Production place: Made in:British Isles

leaflet

Museum number: EPH-ME.144 |
Production date: 2002 |
Production place: Made in:British Isles

medal

Museum number: 2002,0725.4 |
Producer name: BIOG133009 Made by:B A Sevadjian |
Production date: 20thC |
Production place: Made in:Ethiopia

medal

Museum number: 2002,0725.5 |
Producer name: BIOG133009 Made by:B A Sevadjian |
Production date: 20thC |
Production place: Made in:Ethiopia

music sheet/cover

Museum number: EPH-ME.366 |
Production date: 1892 |
Production place: Printed in:Leipzig

music sheet/cover

Museum number: EPH-ME.273 |
Production date: 20thC

music sheet/cover

Museum number: EPH-ME.158 |
Production date: 1894

music sheet/cover

Museum number: EPH-ME.249 |
Production date: 2002 |
Production place: Made in:England

music sheet/cover

Museum number: EPH-ME.220 |
Production date: 1985

music sheet/cover

Museum number: EPH-ME.383 |
Production date: 20thC |
Production place: Printed in:British Isles

music sheet/cover

Museum number: EPH-ME.143 |
Production date: 2002 |
Production place: Made in:British Isles |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:London (England)

newspaper/periodical

Museum number: EPH-ME.130 |
Production date: 1921 |
Production place: Made in:USA

oil painting

Museum number: 2012,2022.1 |
Production date: 20thC |
Production place: Made in:Ethiopia

oil painting

Museum number: 2012,2023.1 |
Producer name: BIOG145675 Painted by:Qes Adamu Tesfaw |
Production date: 2003 |
Production place: Made in:Addis Ababa

painting

Museum number: Af1991,08.25 |
Producer name: BIOG180145 Painted by:Afewerq Mangesha |
Production date: 1969-1972 |
Production place: Made in:Ethiopia |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Ethiopia

painting

Museum number: 2012,2022.2 |
Production date: 20thC |
Production place: Made in:Ethiopia

painting

Museum number: 2008,2013.4 |
Producer name: BIOG181428 Made by:Mengesha Fiseha |
Production date: 2007-2008 |
Production place: Made in:Aksum (town) |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Aksum (town)

painting; album

Museum number: 1948,1211,0.8 |
Cultures/periods: x23245 Safavid dynasty |
Production date: 1590-1600 |
Production place: Made in:Iran

perfume sample

Museum number: EPH-ME.246 |
Production date: 2002 |
Production place: Made in:USA

photocopy; document

Museum number: EPH-ME.218 |
Production date: 1972

plaquette; cast

Museum number: 1923,0717.3 |
Production place: Made in:Germany

postage-stamp

Museum number: EPH-ME.221 |
Production date: 1967 |
Production place: Made in:Yemen

postcard

Museum number: EPH-ME.159 |
Producer name: BIOG197577 After:Pauline Boty |
Production date: 2003 |
Production place: Published in:London (England)

postcard

Museum number: EPH-ME.1923 |
Producer name: Published by:A Martello EditorePainted by:Piero della Francesca |
Production date: 20thC |
Production place: Published in:Milan (city)

postcard

Museum number: EPH-ME.471 |
Production date: 2004 |
Production place: Made for:Bowers MuseumMade in:USA

postcard

Museum number: EPH-ME.472 |
Production date: 2003

poster

Museum number: EPH-ME.331 |
Production date: 2000-2007

poster

Museum number: EPH-ME.141 |
Production date: 2002 |
Production place: Made in:British Isles

poster

Museum number: EPH-ME.563 |
Production date: 1991 |
Production place: Made in:British Isles |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:London (England)

print

Museum number: EPH-ME.140 |
Production date: 1959 |
Production place: Made in:USA

print

Museum number: 1925,0818.21 |
Producer name: BIOG51407 Print made by:Charles Freegrove Winzer |
Production date: 1918

print

Title: Septem Virtutes |
Museum number: 1862,0712.300 |
Producer name: BIOG28280 Published by:Theodoor Galle |
Production date: 1612-1633

print; book-illustration; book

Museum number: 1904,0206.159 |
Producer name: After:Bernard SalomonPublished by:Jean de Tournes |
Production date: 1553-1564 |
Production place: Published in:Lyon

print

Museum number: EPH-ME.148 |
Producer name: BIOG145039 Made by:Ballard's Brewery |
Production date: 20thC |
Production place: Made in:England

print; book-illustration

Title: The Dedication of the Temple The Queen of Sheba comes to see Solomon |
Museum number: 1872,0810.835 |
Producer name: After:G FremanPublished by:Richard Blome |
Production date: 1688 |
Production place: Published in:London (England)

print

Museum number: 1874,0808.227 |
Producer name: Print made by:MarcantonioAfter:Raphael |
Production date: 1515-1520

print

Museum number: 1845,0825.477 |
Producer name: Print made by:AnonymousAttributed to:Francesco Rosselli |
Production date: 1470-1490

print; title-page

Museum number: 1927,0223.2 |
Producer name: BIOG29339 Print made by:Stephen Gooden |
Production date: 1925

print

Museum number: 1880,0214.336 |
Producer name: Print made by:MarcantonioAfter:Raphael |
Production date: 1515-1520

print; book-illustration

Title: Icones Biblicae |
Museum number: 1857,1212.145 |
Producer name: Print made by:Matthäus Merian IPublished by:Matthäus Merian I |
Production date: 1625-1630 |
Production place: Published in:Frankfurt am Main

print

Museum number: U,4.37 |
Producer name: BIOG25441 After:Domenichino |
Production date: 1650-1880 |
Production place: Published in:Rome (city)

print

Title: Raphael Bible |
Museum number: V,4.53 |
Producer name: Print made by:Orazio BorgianniAfter:Raphael |
Production date: 1615

print

Museum number: 1888,0612.540 |
Producer name: BIOG63258 After:Lucas de Heere |
Production date: 1888

print

Title: Fortitudo |
Museum number: U,4.77 |
Producer name: Print made by:Jacob FreyAfter:Domenichino |
Production date: 1725 |
Production place: Published in:Rome (city)

print

Title: Imagines veteris ac Novi Testamenti Raphael Bible |
Museum number: 1867,1012.458 |
Producer name: Print made by:Pietro AquilaAfter:Raphael |
Production date: 1675 |
Production place: Published in:Rome (city)

print

Title: Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba The National Gallery of Pictures by the Great Mast |
Museum number: 1942,0520.2.84 |
Producer name: Print made by:John Charles VarrallAfter:Claude Lorrain |
Production date: 1836

print; playing-card

Title: La Reyne de Saba Jeu des Reynes Renommées |
Museum number: 1871,0513.526 |
Producer name: BIOG19073 Print made by:Stefano della Bella |
Production date: 1644

print

Title: Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba The National Gallery of Pictures by the Great Mast |
Museum number: 1861,1214.87 |
Producer name: After:Claude LorrainPrint made by:John Charles Varrall |
Production date: 1836 |
Production place: Published in:London (England)

print

Title: The Queen of Sheba's Visit to King Solomon |
Museum number: 1872,0113.793 |
Producer name: Print made by:Gabriel SmithIntermediary draughtsman:Edward Edwards |
Production date: 1767 |
Production place: Published in:London (England)

print; book-illustration

Museum number: 1860,1208.112 |
Producer name: After:Claude LorrainPublished by:John Young |
Production date: 1823 |
Production place: Published in:London (England)

print

Museum number: U,4.38 |
Producer name: Print made by:Robert van AudenaerdeAfter:Domenichino |
Production date: 1678-1687 |
Production place: Published in:Rome (city)

print

Title: Views of the St John's Church at Gouda |
Museum number: 1912,0319.35 |
Producer name: Print made by:Pieter TanjéIntermediary draughtsman:J C Boetius |
Production date: 1732

print

Title: Ceiling Paintings from the North Gallery of the Jesuits' Church in Antwerp (Preisler Series) |
Museum number: 1891,0414.1153 |
Producer name: After:Peter Paul RubensPrint made by:Johann Justin Preisler |
Production date: 1735