Alabaster Sabean Face Stele Saba / southern Arabia 3rd - 2nd century BC. Carved stone alabaster Height 17 cm, with base 28.5 cm Stylized face stele of a bearded man with oval head. The nose is long and thin, the smiling mouth is narrow. Starting from the elaborated ears, a thin strip of beard borders the lower half of the face. The hairline is elaborated, the hair is indicated curly by small engravings. The eye sockets result from the right angle formed by the nose and eyebrows. Highly stylized head with strong expression from early Arabic period. Compare to the type the facial stelae of the collection Eduard Glaser in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. Based on the collection history of this head, which was in Viennese family possession for at least 80 years, it can be assumed that this specimen originally also found its way to Vienna with Glaser. Condition: Nose bumped, some small chips on the side as seen in the photo. This does not affect the strong expression. Provenance: Collection Johan Emil Storm (1902-1983), taken over by gift in the 1930s. Originally probably from the collection Eduard Glaser, Vienna, late 19th century. European collection before 1970 We guarantee the specified age!