Description:

Ancient Near East, Neo-Sumerian Empire / Sumeria, ca. 2100 to 1500 BCE. A wonderful pair of ancient Sumerian axe heads: a copper axe head with a spiked butt and a bronze axe head. Probably intended as a votive weapon rather than an actual arm for battle, the copper axe head presents a rounded blade with a low-hanging beard that narrows toward the tubular socket, and 3 prominent spikes extending from the butt. Alternatively, the bronze axe displays a sloping form with a more petite beard and a raised lip surrounding the socket. Weapons seem to have been sacred to the gods in ancient Mesopotamia, and they are often depicted holding them static rather than wielding them with violence. This type of axe head was probably placed into a grave to mark the wealth and status of the deceased. Size of larger axe: 4" L x 1" W x 2.5" H (10.2 cm x 2.5 cm x 6.4 cm)

Provenance: private Everett, Massachusetts, USA collection, purchased from Artemis Gallery; axe head with spike: ex-Artemis Gallery, Louisville, Colorado, USA, April 20, 2018, lot 299; ex-private J. Connell collection, Massachusetts, USA; ex-estate of John Piscopo; no spike: ex-Artemis Gallery, Louisville, Colorado, USA, September 22, 2016, lot 68A (part of lot of 2); ex-estate of John Piscopo. Mr. Piscopo was one of the largest collectors of ancient weapons in the USA with a collection that spanned all cultures, all ages.

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#183121

  • Condition: Chips to spiked blade and loss to socket rim. Other axe is intact. Both are in overall great condition with a heavy, textured patina and mineral deposits.

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January 5, 2024 10:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000