Bronze
100-300 CE
Yemen
The British Museum
Details
Culture/Civilisation
Ancient Arabia
Theme
Writing
Subtheme
Writing and the Divine
Display Location
Coomaraswamy Hall
Findspot
Zafar, Yemen
Measurements
20 x 12 x 3.5 cm
Accession Number
1983,0626.2
Description
‘Wahab Ta’lab, son of Hisam, the Yursamite, subject of the Banu Sukhaym, has dedicated to their patron Ta’lab Riyam this right hand… in the city of Zafar, for his wellbeing’.
The astonishingly naturalistic right hand carries a dedication to a local god of ancient Yemen associated with prophecies, fertility and protection. The right hand was considered pure, and so appropriate when invoking the gods.
