GREEK HELLENISTIC LABRYS AXE HEAD

Circa 400-300 BC. This is a delicately formed, early double bronze axe head with slight curving bits at each point of the axe head to better stick into an enemy. This type of axe head, known as a labrys, is also a symbol commonly associated with female deities and with the Minoan civilization; on Crete, it was probably a symbol for the matriarchal elements of creation. Mounted on a custom-display stand. Size: L:255mm / W:86mm ; 1.5kg. Provenance: Private UK collection; From an old London collection formed in the 1990s.