Western Asiatic Bronze Ceremonial ‘Eye’ Axehead

Object Description

A very fine Western Asiatic bronze socketed ceremonial axe-head, featuring a blunt fan-shaped blade and a sloping counterbalance to the rear. The edge of the blade is decorated with a thin crenelated band. The rim of the rounded socket is lined by a double border. The axe is further embellished with a bulging eye relief on each side of the socket. This apotropaic detail as well as the size and dull edges points to the axe having a ceremonial purpose. The piece is covered with an attractive reddish-brown patination. This style of axes are believed to have originated in Bactria, but some similar styles come from other provinces in the Achaemenid empire.

Date: Circa 2000 BC
Period: Bronze Age

Object History

Ex London collection of weapons, 1990s-2010s.

Object Condition

Very good. The piece is intact, the socket hole is unobstructed. A minor surface chip between the socket and the fan-blade.The surface of the bronze is covered with patination.

Object Details