Luristan Bronze Socketted Axehead

Comprising a cylindrical shaft with a narrow flanged base, the upper section with three vertical relief panels decorated by round spikes alternated with a wavy pattern, divided and bordered by parallel ridges, engraved with five lines of Sumerian cuneiform text around the socket, a votive inscription translating to: 'To Nin’azu, Bala, son of Lugal-kare-si, the merchant, has presented (it)'. 350 grams, 11.6 cm



Acquired before 1983. Ex London gallery, 1990s. Private collection, London, UK. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.13257-253385.

This gorz mace head belongs to the category of truncheon-shaped mace heads, a type developed on the Iranian plateau during the Bronze Age, used by Elamite and Luristan warriors since the 3rd millennium B.C. This category of objects was also interpreted as a part of a shaft or cudgel, but most scholars agree on the interpretation of use as a mace.

A bronze reproduction of a Corinthian helmet with a deep nasal and cheek guards; supplied with a custom-made perspex display case. 10.05 kg total, 40.5 cm high including stand (helmet: 26.5 cm high)



Private collection, UK.

With a broad, flaring triangular-section blade extending to a curved edge with carination to its rear, pointed extension to the reverse of the socket; the blade decorated with openwork floral and vegetal patterns; mounted on a wooden shaft. 1.75 kg, 140.5 cm



Acquired from Lyon & Turnbull, UK, in 2013. From a large West London collection formed from the 1990s.

This is a war weapon issued to infantry, intended for use against cavalry. The distinctive openwork blade suggests it was a standard-issue weapon, not for an occasional use.