CSAI

Corpus of South Arabian Inscriptions


Robin and de Maigret 2009: fig.14

SUPPORT INFORMATION

Support typeArtefact » Plaque » With framework
MaterialBronze
Decoration
TypeFramework » With geometric elements
Figurative subjectGeometric motif » Dentils
Decoration
TypeFramework » With abstract-figurative elements
Figurative subjectAnimal » Bull
      Part of animal bodyHead
      ViewFrontal
Figurative subjectHuman figure
      Part of human bodyComplete figure
      Human gestureStanding, Hand raised
      Human clothes and attributesTunic, Headgear
      ViewIn profile
Figurative subjectVessel » Situla
Figurative subjectVessel » Aspergillum
Notes on support and decorationsThe plaque has an elaborate framework: on the top a series of bull's heads in frontal view is placed between two rows of dentils. On the lateral sides the symmetrical framework is filled by four human figures, in profile, with the right hand raised and the left holding a situla.

ORIGIN AND PROVENANCE

Origin. Conjectural
Modern siteal-Bayḍāʾ
Ancient siteNs²qm
Geographical areaJawf - Wādī al-Buhayra
CountryYemen
Archaeological contextReligious context: Temple of ʾlmqh bʿl Myfʿm
Link to site record
Origin. Conjectural
Modern siteBayt Kulāb
Ancient siteWʿr
Geographical areaRayda
CountryYemen
Archaeological contextReligious context: Temple of ʾlmqh bʿl Myfʿm
NotesThe editors of the inscriptions (Bron and Lemaire 2009; Robin and de Maigret 2009) suppose that the text comes from the city of Nashqum on the basis of the nisba of its author. However, the presence of the nisba suggests that the dedication was made in a different place with respect to the author's provenance; the temple of ʾlmqh bʿl Myfʿm in Bayt Kulāb (cf. MAFY-Bayt Kulāb 1 and 2) is at present the best candidate (Multhoff 2019: 18, fn. 84).
Link to site record

CULTURAL NOTES

The bronze plaque is an exceptional artefact in South Arabian art. Its decoration reminds of the Assyrian iconography. For the representation of genii with situla and aspergillum, compare the Minaic stela Maʿīn 100 and the Qatabanian plaque FB-Ḥawkam 1.

EPIGRAPHS

TitleB-L Nashq ?
ConcordanceDemirjian 1
LanguageAncient South Arabian » Sabaic » Early Sabaic
Link to epigraph record

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Multhoff 2019Multhoff, Anne 2019. Merchant and marauder—The adventures of a Sabaean clansman. Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy: 1-24. 2019/11/18; https://doi.org/10.1111/aae.12127.