Details

LOT 1149

Western Asiatic Black Stone Macehead

3RD MILLENNIUM B.C.

3 14 in. (435 grams, 81 mm).

With plain globular body, circular short shaft expanding to a circular flat base.

Provenance

Acquired 1980-2015.
Ex Abelita family collection.

Literature

See Gorelik, M., Weapons of Ancient East, IV millennium BC-IV century BC, Saint Petersburg, 2003, pl.XXX, no.47, mace of the deity, detail of the image on the “Stela of Kites” Eanatuma, Ngirsu, mid-3rd millennium B.C.

Footnotes

The mace in the Middle East was of great importance, and widely used in fighting activities at the end of the 4th millennium B.C. Many maces of simple spherical or pear-shaped profile have been found there, and they were quickly utilised by the military commanders as symbol of power and rank; limestone maces are still attested in the Marlik culture of 14th-10th century B.C.