ANCIENT BRONZE DECORATED MACE HEAD

C. 2000-700BC, Luristan culture. A Luristan cast bronze mace head with a tubular shape. The upper portion of mace head is decorated with a series of incised chevron panels delineated by incised vertical lines. The limits of this central decoration are denoted above and below by two incised lines. Bronze weaponry production flourished from the 2nd millennium BC to about 700BC when it was gradually replaced by iron. Swords, maceheads spears and arrows were exchanged via trade and war and are discovered in both civic and ritual context. A macehead such as this one would have been an important symbol of rank, and have served a purpose in warfare, but also in religious contexts as maceheads were common votive offerings in shrines. Superb condition. Size: H:205mm/H:93mm (without stand); 354g. Provenance: From an old British collection of Asian Art formed in the 1990 on the UK and European art market.