*A SOUTH ARABIAN CALCITE ALABASTER HEAD WITH INLAID EYES. 1st century BCE - 1st century A.D. H. 18 cm Provenance Formerly, private collection A.K., Switzerland, collected prior 1971 Then by descent Estate of a European Ancient Dealer,, acquired in December 2011 Then by descent by succession The eyes are inlaid with a carved limestone/calcite material. The face is characterized by a elongated oval shape, large almond shape eyes, with a carved browline.Proeminent nose and large fine lips. The hairstyle is characteristic of these women portraitures, with short hair on top broadening on either side under the ears. For a similar portrait see Queen of Sheba, 2002, p. 194-195. For Swiss buyers, VAT applies to the hammer price and buyer's premium (only for the lots with the * mention).