PARIS — The French auction house Placas has announced the upcoming sale of a rare South Arabian alabaster funerary head, believed to originate from ancient Yemen, as part of its “Ancient Art” auction scheduled for October 29. 

The artifact, carved from banded alabaster with inlaid eyes and finely incised hair details, dates back to the 3rd century BCE to 1st century CE.
The portrait head, sculpted in a naturalistic style, features broad facial characteristics and one eye retaining its original inlay of shell and limestone, framed by a black bituminous surround. The piece exhibits minor fissures and traces of ancient polishing, consistent with its age and burial context.

The auction listing has sparked concern among Yemeni heritage advocates, who question the legality of the artifact’s export and sale. 

According to cultural experts, the item may have been removed from Yemen without proper documentation, raising ethical and legal issues surrounding its provenance. Previous reports indicate that similar Yemeni artifacts offered by Placas were acquired by European collectors in the 1980s, though excavation records remain unclear.

Yemeni antiquities specialist Abdullah Mohsen has called for greater transparency and international cooperation to prevent the illicit trade of cultural heritage. “Selling funerary objects from Yemen without verified provenance undermines global efforts to protect endangered heritage,” he stated.

The alabaster head is expected to attract interest from collectors and museums specializing in South Arabian art and funerary sculpture. However, calls for repatriation and stricter oversight continue to grow amid concerns over the preservation of Yemen’s archaeological legacy.