Three South Arabian Funerary Inscriptions, Qataban, circa 3rd/1st Century B.C.

comprising three bases with mortises on top for insertion of trapezoidal stelai, one fragmentary in alabaster finely engraved "Ghaythat of Rafʿan," a smaller complete alabaster one roughly engraved "Sahatum of Waqihat," and a fragmentary one in limestone engraved "Banyanum of Yathʿan" in tall elongated characters.

Captain John Aylward (1929-1986), R.A, F.I.C.S., collected by him in 1958/1959 near Hayd ibn 'Aqil, the necropolis of the ancient Timna', capital of the kingdom of Qataban
by descent to the present owners

Fragmentary as shown. Minor chips and abrasions overall, mostly on the smaller piece. No repairs or restorations.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

On the cemetery at Timna' see Yémen. Au pays de la reine de Saba, Paris, 1997, pp. 171-176. A stele from the collection of John Aylward is now in the British Museum. Most of the South Arabian objects in his collection were sold by Sotheby's in London in the 1990s, including three inscriptions, which were later published by Alfred F.L. Beeston, "Capt. Aylward's Qatabanian Inscriptions," Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy, vol. 6/3, 1995, pp. 203-205, and a splendid head (Sotheby's, London, July 7th/8th, 1994, no. 259).

We are grateful to Christian Robin for his reading and dating of the inscriptions.