C. 2000-700 BC, Luristan culture. A Luristan cast bronze mace head with a pointed tip, cylindrical body featuring four neat rows of spikes running horizontally down the piece. The head terminates in a reinforced, rounded socket. Bronze weaponry production flourished from the 2nd millennium BC to about 700 BC 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, mounted on custom-made stand.Size: L:81mm / W:65mm ; 32g; Provenance: Property of a North London gentleman; previously acquire on the UK/European art market in the 1990s.