Hombrechtikon plaque
Honeyman 1954: pl. IV
Image free from copyright
Image free from copyright
DEPOSIT INFORMATION
| Notes | Private collection of villa of Mr Gottfried Schaerer, located near Hombrechtikon in Canton Zürich. |
SUPPORT INFORMATION
| Support type | Artefact » Plaque » With figurative scene | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Material | Alabaster | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Measures | h. 40.0, w. 25.0, th. 4.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Decoration |
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| Notes on support and decorations | Alabaster (or marble) rectangular plaque with a complex representation carved in low relief. The plaque is probably unfinished along its left edge, as appears from the incompleteness of the word inscribed on the upper left margin. The upper half of this plaque contains a top panel with the inscription: two letters in relief on the left angle and a monogram on the right one; between them a plain and polished sector of panel. Below there is the traditional South Arabian decoration of horizontal grooves (the shutter-motif). The lower part (more than half) of the plaque contains the figurative representation, which consists in three arches (decorated with ovoli), supported by four channelled columns with Corinthian capitals and massive, squared bases. Beneath each arch there is a figure: on the left arch a rampant lion, viewed in profile; on the central one a nude dancing male figure; on the right one a voluptuous female figure with the naked bust and wearing a long transparent skirt, hanging from a twisted belt, which leaves completely visible her legs. The male figure is dancing over a discussed object: "a lotus or a carved support for platform or a flower-pot", according to Honeyman, a "mystic" vase with lid (of the same type of that carved for example in the BM stela RES 4575), according to Pirenne. In the lunettes of the arches there are three heads which surmount the complete figures; from the left: above the lion we can see a human face with long hear in profile; in the centre, above the naked man, there is a horned animal head; on the right lunette, above the female figure, a human frontal face. |
ORIGIN AND PROVENANCE
| Modern site | Unknown |
| Ancient site | Unknown |
| Country | Yemen |
| Notes | The plaque was been acquired at Menakha (Yemen) on 1913 by Mr M. Schaerer |
| Link to site record |
CULTURAL NOTES
Honyeman recognizes in this representation (especially in the female figure) an Indian influence. The scholar dates the object to the 2nd century AD and interprets these figures as minor deities, with protective and magical function.
On the contrary, J. Pirenne proposes a late date, around the 4th century AD, that appears more probable on the basis of the palaeography.
As regards the possible origin of this plaque, excluding, for linguistic reasons (see epigraphic card), a Sabaean one, it appears probable a Hadrami production, because of its similarity with the subject (a nude figure beneath an arch) carved on ATM 162, which is originating from Shabwa.
On the contrary, J. Pirenne proposes a late date, around the 4th century AD, that appears more probable on the basis of the palaeography.
As regards the possible origin of this plaque, excluding, for linguistic reasons (see epigraphic card), a Sabaean one, it appears probable a Hadrami production, because of its similarity with the subject (a nude figure beneath an arch) carved on ATM 162, which is originating from Shabwa.
EPIGRAPHS
| Title | Hombrechtikon plaque |
| Language | Ancient South Arabian » Ḥaḍramitic |
| Link to epigraph record |
BIBLIOGRAPHY
| Honeyman 1954 | Honeyman, Alexander M. 1954. The Hombrechtikon plaque. Iraq, 16: 23-28, pl. IV. |
| Pirenne 1957 b | Pirenne, Jacqueline 1957. Review of Honeyman, Alexander M. 1954. The Hombrechtikon plaque. Iraq, 16: 23-28, pl. IV. Syria, 34: 210-213. |