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THE
MYTH and mystery of the Queen of Sheba provides an
introduction to the magnificent ancient civilisation of Yemen, where she is
believed to have originated. The exhibition, sponsored by Barclays PLC,
focuses on the importance and splendour of the kingdoms of Southern Arabia
that prospered through a lucrative trade in incense and other precious
commodities to the Near East and Roman Empire. Spectacular artefacts from
the Museum’s own collections and on loan from the American Foundation for
the Study of Man and museums across Yemen will bring to life the history of
a complex civilisation mostly unfamiliar to a Western audience.
The exhibition will begin with an examination of the Queen of Sheba in
art, looking at modern, 19th century and Renaissance representations. She is
variously viewed as a figure of beauty and seduction, the propounder of
riddles to King Solomon (the Old Testament), a convert to Islam (the Qur’an),
and a precursor of the Magi (Western Christian artistic tradition).
The story of the Queen of Sheba is extremely important to the national
and religious identity of Ethiopia where she is thought to have introduced
Christianity and given birth to Solomon’s son and heir, Menelik, the first
king of the Ethiopian Solomonic dynasty. This story is transcribed in the Kebra
Nagast, on loan from the British Library. Paintings -including a
previously unpublished, superbly detailed watercolour by Edward Poynter
depicting the arrival of Sheba at the court of Solomon - as well as prints,
drawings and film stills will be used to show different interpretations of
the Sheba legend.
The early history and cultural development of Southern Arabia is explored
through new archaeological discoveries which illustrate the existence of a
rich Bronze Age culture in Yemen. Important inscriptions belonging to the
first Millennium BC mark the beginning of the historical period, a bronze
statue of a Sabaean warrior and alabaster statues depicting later rulers of
the rival kingdom of Aswan, illustrate the early history of the region.
Extravagant incense burners and aromatic resins highlight the mainstay of
the ancient economy, and the evocative smell of incense will be used to
enrich the atmosphere in the gallery. Examples of decorative architectural
elements, religious iconography, gold jewellery, pottery, glass and
metalwork will reveal aspects of daily life in the area.
The development of local arts and crafts with influences from the Persian
empire and the classical world will be revealed through artefacts such as
the exquisitely crafted miniature gold bull’s head, the revered symbol of
the Sabaean national deity, Almaqah, which will go on display for the first
time. A recently conserved bronze altar with bull’s head spouts provides a
unique insight into religious practice in the 6th century BC and a lifelike
bronze hand with a dedicatory inscription offers a glimpse into popular
superstition. Funerary sculptures and grave offerings, including the
beautiful alabaster head of a woman nicknamed ‘Myriam’, reveal the
different attitudes to death and the afterlife in ancient Yemen.
Our understanding of the land of the Queen of Sheba has been greatly
increased by recent archaeological discoveries, but the work goes on and
Myriam’s mysterious smile hints at further, yet to be discovered secrets
of ancient South Arabia.
A fully-illustrated exhibition catalogue, Queen of Sheba: Treasures
from Ancient Yemen, edited by St John Simpson will be available from
June 2002. The catalogue includes authoritative essays by leading
international scholars, details of new archaeological discoveries and
discussion on artwork influenced by the Sheba myth. The catalogue is priced
at £24.99. For further information on the catalogue, please contact
Penelope Vogler on 020 7323 1234 or email: p.vogler@bmcompany.co.uk
An extensive education programme will accompany the exhibition. This will
include an academic conference in July, a series of study days in June and
September, a film programme and a week of events related to the Ancient Near
East in early October.
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