A rare bronze bust, believed to be an artifact from ancient Yemen, is set to be auctioned in Tel Aviv later this month. The discovery brings renewed attention to the illicit outflow of Yemeni antiquities and their presence in the global art market.
Abdullah Mohsen, a researcher specializing in Yemeni antiquities, revealed that the bronze bust was part of the collection of businessman and jewelry dealer Shlomo Moussaieff (1925–2015). Moussaieff amassed a significant collection of over 60,000 artifacts, including hundreds of rare Yemeni pieces.
According to Mohsen's statement on Facebook, Moussaieff's collection featured prominent examples of Yemeni heritage. This included four bronze lions from Al Jawf dating back to the 6th century BCE, a solid gold bull's head, a bronze statue of a horse and rider, a bronze cup inscribed with South Arabian script, and other bronze and marble statues and reliefs from ancient Yemeni civilizations.
Mohsen noted that among the items previously identified within the collection were a statue of the daughter of the Qatabanian king "Yada'ab Ghaylan," wife of "Yuha'amar," a bull's head on a marble relief, a bronze sphinx, and a decorated bronze jug with Musnad inscriptions. These examples underscore the extent of Yemen's archaeological wealth that has entered private collections abroad, while Yemen continues to face considerable challenges in protecting its historical sites and recovering artifacts trafficked internationally.
Another piece from the Moussaieff collection, a finely crafted bronze bust of a figure identified as "Amman Yahum Yuhar'am" from the 1st century CE, was previously exhibited at the ChristoferBayer Ancient Art gallery in Vienna, bearing two lines of Musnad script on its chest. The current bust depicts a young figure with serene features, whose identity remains unconfirmed, according to the researcher. The bust is characterized by an oval face, large almond-shaped eyes, a straight nose, and a small mouth. A prominent head covering or diadem framing the hair features artistic elements, including floral motifs and clusters resembling fruit or grapes, along with swirling ornaments above the forehead. The hair is styled in wavy locks around the temples, and decorative elements on the shoulder and chest suggest an association with attire or accessories.
The bronze surface exhibits a patina in green and reddish-brown hues, alongside visible signs of wear and sedimentation consistent with its age. The intricate details of the face, hair, and diadem reflect a high level of artistic craftsmanship. The auctioning of this bust in Tel Aviv raises critical questions about its journey from Yemen to a private collection and subsequently into the international antiquities market. It also highlights concerns regarding the capacity of Yemeni authorities to track and reclaim smuggled artifacts, particularly as Yemeni antiquities continue to emerge in auctions, exhibitions, and private collections worldwide.
