Ca. 1200–700 BC. Western Asiatic. An attractive ceremonial axe head with a rectangular blade and wide, cylindrical shaft tube. On the back a solid bronze lion climbing the poll of the axe. The diligently worked out muscular body is fixed on the shaft. Custom-made stand included. Bronze weaponry production flourished from the 2nd millennium BC to about 700 BC when it was gradually replaced by iron. Swords, mace heads, spears and arrows were exchanged via trade and war and are discovered in both civic and ritual context. An axe head 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 mace heads were common votive offerings in shrines. Provenance: Private UK collection; Formerly acquired on the European art market from pre-2000 collections. Size: L:110mm / W:50mm ; 385g