Western Asiatic, ca. 1200-700 BC. A bronze two-bladed axe head characterized by its distinctive labrys shape, which features two parallel blades that are joined at the center, through which passes a round shaft to allow the tool to be impaled on a pole or handle. The term "labrys" derives from the Greek word for double-bladed axe, and the labrys type was used by many cultures in the region, including the Hittites, Mycenaeans, and Minoans. The labrys type bronze axe was primarily used for cutting and chopping tasks, and its two-bladed design allowed for more efficient use than a single-bladed axe. Size: L:205mm / W:55mm ; 740gProvenance: From the collection of a European gentleman living in the UK, acquired on the EU Art Market around 2000.