Rare Egyptian Middle Kingdom Copper Axe Head

Ancient Egypt, Middle Kingdom, 11th to 13th Dynasty, ca. 2130 to 1650 BCE. A beautiful and rare cast-copper axe head of a distinct parabolic shape covered in thick layers of green and brown patina. The semicircular instrument features a sharpened blade edge that extends from the midsection down both tapered wings and has a thick handle emanating from the verso of the blade center. A petite perforation at the handle's end enabled the axe head to be fastened to the top of a wooden handle for use as either a utilitarian chopping tool or, in times of desperation, a battle-ready weapon capable of inflicting copious amounts of damage. Size: 5.6" L x 10.25" W (14.2 cm x 26 cm)

Cf. Petrie, W. M. Flinders, "Tools and weapons illustrated by the Egyptian collection in University College, London", 1917, chapter A: Plain Axe Blade.

Provenance: private New York, USA collection, acquired in October 2020; ex-private New York, New York, USA collection; ex Robert Horbacz collection, purchased from Amphora Auctions (auction #96, October 14, 2009, lot 428)

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#164991
Condition Report: Chipping to blade edge, blade faces, and handle, with light encrustations, and wear to patinated surfaces along outer tips of blade wings, otherwise intact and excellent. Fabulous patina throughout. Old inventory label on verso of handle.