Description:

Central Asia, Bactria-Margiana (BMAC) (Oxus Civilization), Bronze Age, ca. 2nd millennium BCE. An incredibly striking ancient artifact, a large bronze axe head, clearly made to be ceremonial, with a claw-like, four-pronged opening to the socket. The patina on this piece is particularly notable, a gorgeous turquoise and deep blue. If this item is similar to those made in Elam and Luristan - and we believe it is - then it was never intended to be used in war, but was rather a mark of rank - the insignia of a high official or monarch. For example, axes and hammers were given to elites by Elamite monarchs, a practice that we know spread to Kerman (eastern Iran) and then Bactria by ca. 2000 BCE. Size: 6.3" W x 3.9" H (16 cm x 9.9 cm); 7.2" H (18.3 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private East Coast, USA collection; ex-William Froelich collection, New York, USA, collected in the 1970s

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#142240

  • Condition: Small loss to surface of one of the "claws" and cracking to surface of one of the others. Otherwise in excellent condition with a beautiful bright turquoise and blue encrusted patina.

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May 9, 2019 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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