LOT 0328

Large Levantine Crescentic 'Anchor' Axehead

MIDDLE BRONZE AGE, LATE 3RD-EARLY 2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.

4 3/8 in. (557 grams, 11.1 cm).

An anchor-shaped semi-circular blade, semi-elliptical in section, narrow socket with a long extension to the rear.

Previously in a London, UK, collection, 1970s.
Ex Rabi Gallery 1991.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

For a similar example see no.509, p.385, in Muscarell, Bronze and Iron: Ancient Near Eastern Artefacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art; also cf. Gernez, G., L’armament en métal au Proche et Moyen-Orient: des origines a 1750 av. J.C., Paris, 2007, fig.2.47, type H5, for the type; and an almost example in Christie's New York, 5 December 2012, no.174 ($8,000-$12,000).

The ‘anchor’ axes belonged to a homogeneous type of axe, similar to the fenestrated axes, but displaying a different hafting method. The handle was inserted into a short cylindrical collar except at the back, where it extended to a width roughly equivalent to that of the blade. The two ends of the blade widened to form a concave face resting against the handle, thus ensuring a firm support. The edges of the fenestrelles were prominent and sometimes have decoration. At the back of the collar, there was always a spherical or flattened knob. The function of this knob can only be conjectured: it seems too small to serve as a counterweight, hence it was probably an element used to wind the handle's attachment cord.