Ca. 1st millennium BC. A hand-carved alabaster head of a female delineated in high relief, perhaps from a funerary stele, presenting a quixotic visage comprised of almond-shaped eyes, a dramatically arched browline, an elegantly curved nose, and closed lips. The reverse is unworked and a vertical hollow channel runs along the backside. For more information on South Arabian funerary stelae: Cf. St. J. Simpson, Queen of Sheba, Treasures from Ancient Yemen, British Museum, 2002, pp. 192-197.Size: L:170mm / W:130mm ; 3.67kgProvenance: Property of a West London gentleman; previously in a collection formed on the UK/International art market in the 1980s.