BRONZE AGE DECORATED MACE HEAD ON STAND

C. 2000-700BC, Luristan culture. A Luristan cast bronze mace head with a tubular shape and a protruding spheroid head. The upper portion of mace head, just anterior to the spheroid section is decorated with a raised horizontal rib which delinates the spheroid section from the uppermost portion of the weapon. The spheroid head comprises a series of vertically orientated, raised ridges which taper lower down to reunite with the weapon's tubular base. The lower section is delinated by another raised horizontal band which marks the boundary of the lower part of the tublar shaft. The weapon terminates with a further series of three raised horizontal bands. Bronze weaponry production flourished from the 2nd millennium BC to about 700BC when it was gradually replaced by iron. Swords, maceheads spears and arrows were exchanged via trade and war and are discovered in both civic and ritual context. A macehead 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 maceheads were common votive offerings in shrines. Superb condition, mounted on custom made stand. Size: L:110mm / W:35mm ; 290g; Provenance: From an old British collection, acquired on the UK art market in the 1980s.