Stolen Yemeni artifacts to be auctioned at “Astarte” next June

SANAA, May May 31 (YPA) – The Yemeni archaeologist, Abdullah Mohsen, reported that a collection of rare Yemeni artifacts will be auctioned in the Swiss city of Astarte on June 11.

Mohsen explained in Facebook posts that among these rare artifacts is a unique stone head dating back to the first century BC.

The head features delicate, oval-shaped female features, with large, almond-shaped eyes inlaid with limestone, prominent eyebrows, a delicate nose, thin lips, and a distinctive hairstyle that covers the sides of the face.

He added that the auction, organized by Astarte, claimed that the head was part of a private collection known as the “A.K. Collection” before 1971, before it was transferred to a European antiquities dealer in December 2011, and subsequently to the heirs, who are the current owners of the artifact.

Mohsen also mentioned another artifact that will be sold at the same auction: a bronze amulet in the form of a curved arm and a closed hand bearing an inscription in the Musnad script. In ancient Yemeni culture, the right hand is a symbol of good luck and protection from evil.

He explained that the auction will feature 219 artifacts from around the world, including rare Yemeni pieces, in the absence of any tangible action by the government loyal to the Saudi-led coalition, which claims to represent Yemen internationally.

YPA