BRONZE AGE BRONZE AXE HEAD
Ca. 1200-700 BC. A cast bronze axe head comprising of a flared blade and a tubular socket with raised borders and a bulb to the cheek. Bronze weaponry production flourished from the 2nd millennium BC to about 700 BC when it was gradually replaced by iron. Swords, mace heads, spears, and arrows were exchanged via trade and war and are discovered in both civic and ritual contexts. An axe head such as this one would have been an important symbol of rank, and have served a purpose in warfare, but also in religious contexts as mace heads were common votive offerings in shrines. Size: L:70mm / W:110mm ; 404g Provenance: Property of a West London gentleman; previously in a collection formed on the UK/International art market in the 1980s.

Estimate: GBP 300 - 600