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Estimate
GBP (£) 400 - 600
EUR (€) 470 - 710
USD ($) 490 - 730
£400 (EUR 472; USD 486) (+bp*)
LATE 2ND-EARLY 1ST MILLENNIUM B.C.
A substantial bronze halberd-shaped axehead with long, narrow, subtriangular blade projecting from a flange, cutaway section at the base and a knob formed as a griffin head at the top of the flange, the shaft with five projecting ribs; accompanied by a custom-made display stand. 12 3/8 in. (15 in.) (540 grams, 31.5 cm long (872 grams total, 38 cm high including stand)).
PROVENANCE:
Acquired in Iran 1967.
Property of a central London gentleman.
LITERATURE:
Cf. Muscarella, O.W., Bronze and Iron Ancient Near Eastern Artifacts in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1988, p.98, fig.161.
FOOTNOTES:
This axe type is known from an example excavated in Marlik by Dr. Negahban in grave 26, and another from Kurvin. Various examples, held in in private collections, also have an animal head added to the outside of the blade. The cutaway and knob were intended to hold organic thongs
that helped secure the blade to the shaft.
