LURISTAN BRONZE AXE HEAD

Ca. 1200 - 900 BC.
A Luristan bronze axe head with a long blade and a vertical hole in the handle. Contrary to popular belief, the most commonly used weapon in antiquity was not the sword but the battle-axe. In fact, this weapon had enormous advantages over the more emblazoned sword, the axe could be used to chop and split wood, which was an extremely important and everyday activity in the ancient world. For similar see: Christie's, Live Auction 2450 Antiquities, Lot. 172.
Size: 60mm x 135mm; Weight: 505g
Provenance: Property of a West London gentleman; previously in a collection formed on the UK/International art market in the 1980s.