Yemen Monitor/Newsroom:
Specialized sources have revealed that a rare Yemeni artifact is being offered for sale at an international art auction. A funerary stele from the ancient Qatabanian civilization is part of the major summer auction held by “Templum” Arts in Barcelona.
The piece dates back to between the 1st century BCE and the 1st century CE and is from a private European collection. It features a bovine head in high relief, meticulously detailed, showcasing the skill of ancient Yemeni art. Auction documents highlight its distinct artistic features, including almond-shaped eyes and realistic contours that reflect the animal’s power and symbolic prestige in ancient Yemeni culture. The bull was associated with fertility and protection in funerary and votive beliefs.
The artifact bears a Musnad inscription at the top. However, experts have noted inconsistencies in the writing rules, raising questions about the accuracy of the text and suggesting the possibility of some details being forged to attract antiquities collectors.
Yemeni scholar Abdullah Mohsen sarcastically commented on the event, highlighting the irony between the powerful bull symbol in Yemeni civilization and the current reality dominated by what he called “lazy bulls,” referring to corruption and negligence.
The auction, scheduled for tomorrow, will include a wide range of artworks and antiquities, alongside jewelry and contemporary pieces, drawing significant interest from collectors of rare artifacts worldwide.
