Details

LOT 1361

North-Western Persian Elamite Bronze Axehead

2ND MILLENNIUM B.C.

3 3/4 in. (267 grams, 97 mm).

With crescent blade and rounded knot at the butt, ornamental curved edging to the upper shaft hole, a cord edge on the lower shaft hole, incised band around the edge of the blade.

Provenance

UK private collection before 2000.
Acquired on the UK art market.
Property of a London gentleman.

Literature

Cf. Mahboubian, H., Art of Ancient Iran, copper and bronze, London, 1997, p.166, fig.172b, for identical type; Gernez, G., L’armament en métal au Proche et Moyen-Orient: des origines a 1750 av. J.C., Paris, 2007, p.146, fig.2.14, subtype H2.H.a.

Footnotes

The type corresponds to the Gernez type H.2.H.a, of axes with collar and short sleeve lined with mouldings, fan-shaped blade and rear knot. It was a variant only known in Elam and Luristan. In Luristan one identical specimen was found at Chigha Sabz (grave M7). In Elam the majority of these axes were found in the Middle-Bronze Age (Age of Isin-Larsa or Early Babylonian Age) tombs of Sarcophagi, at Susa.