عنوان

A stylistic and comparative study of unpublished pre-Islamic stone sculptures from Arabia

Number

TLets503494

Title Proper

A stylistic and comparative study of unpublished pre-Islamic stone sculptures from Arabia

General Material Designation

[Thesis]

First Statement of Responsibility

Al-Mazroo, Hamid Ibrahim

Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.

University of London

Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.

1990

Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree

Ph.D.

Body granting the degree

University of London

Text preceding or following the note

1990

Text of Note

This thesis has involved the compilation of a catalogue of unpublished pre-Islamic sculptural material, comprising statues, statuettes, heads, reliefs and plaques bearing stylized human faces and inscriptions. The objects come mainly from three known archaeological site in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia (al-Ula, Fadak and Qaryat al-Fau), and other unknown sites situated within the South Western region of Arabia (ancient Yemen). The thesis contains maps, drawings and photographs. The catalogue first divides the objects according to their regions and sites, then sub-divides the objects from South Arabia into groups, types and sub-types. The classification has been done partly on a typological basis, and partly, upon a' combination of several outstanding aspects, such as method "of manufacture' and other technical considerations. A discussion of each individual object or classified object in the catalogue follows its description. In these discussions attempts are made to focus on many related aspects such as stylistic and comparative studies and function. An attempt is also made to trace the regional stylistic variation between the sculptures of Qaryat al-Fau and South Arabia. No publication has made any attempt to catalogue sculptures from these regions with respect to their stylistic variation. This thesis thus seeks to fill the needs for a scholarly cataloguing and discussion of this important class of art. Conclusions are drawn concerning the main reasons behind the uniformity and conformity of the conventional South Arabian statuary. This study also sheds new light on the sculptural styles to be found in the pre-Islamic Arabian peninsula.

Al-Mazroo, Hamid Ibrahim

University of London

Electronic name

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y