C. 2000-700 BC, Luristan culture. Bronze battle axe head with short, triangular blade, thinned cheek and a four-spiked butt. Bronze weaponry production flourished from the 2nd millennium BC to about 700 BC when it was gradually replaced by iron. Swords, mace heads, spears and arrows were exchanged via trade and war and are discovered in both civic and ritual context. An axe head 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 mace heads were common votive offerings in shrines. Superb condition, mounted on custom-made stand.Size: L:53mm / W:190mm ; 270g; Provenance: Property of a London gentleman, formerly with the Parthenon gallery, previously in an old English collection formed before 2000.