CSAI
Corpus of South Arabian Inscriptions

Indexes
Tools
Record’s details
CC BY 4.0
The above license applies to the data in this record, but not to any images displayed. The images are the property of third parties and are either used with permission or reproduced from publications (see the credits below each image).

BM 1985,0223.96


By kind permission of British Museum

DEPOSIT INFORMATION

DepositLondon, The British Museum, BM 1985,0223.96
NotesDonated by D.B. Doe, MBE.

SUPPORT INFORMATION

Support typeArtefact » Container
MaterialAlabaster
Dimensionsh. 4.3, l. 9.6, w. 6.5, d. 3.5 (circular compartments)
Decoration
Figurative subjectAnimal » Bull
      Part of animal bodyHead
Notes on support and decorationsFragmentary pink and white banded calcite-alabaster rectangular multiple container with two circular compartments with slightly everted plain rims on the top. Two projecting, very simply carved, bull’s heads on the one face of the long side. The left end is broken; approximately a third of the vessel may be missing. The surface has been finished to a dull polish. This object may have served as a cosmetic container, or contained unguents.

ORIGIN AND PROVENANCE

Origin
Modern siteUnknown
Ancient siteUnknown
Geographical areaUnknown
CountryUnknown
Link to site record

CULTURAL NOTES

Art
Similar multiple containers are originating from Hajar ibn Ḥumayd (Van Beek 1969: 311, pl. 50/a), Timnaʿ cemetery (Cleveland 1965: TC 1707). A miniature multiple container was found in the Awwām cemetery (Simpson 2002: 202-203, cat. 293).

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Cleveland 1965Cleveland, Ray L. 1965. An Ancient South Arabian Necropolis. Objects from the Second Campaign (1951) in Timnaʿ Cemetery. (Publications of the American Foundation for the Study of Man, 4). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press.
Van Beek 1969Van Beek, Gus W. 1969. Hajar bin Ḥumeid. Investigations at a Pre-Islamic Site in South Arabia. (Publications of the American Foundation for the Study of Man, 5). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Press.
Simpson 2002Simpson, St John (ed.) 2002. Queen of Sheba. Treasures from the ancient Yemen. London: British Museum Press. [Catalogue of an exhibition held at the British Museum, London]