Ca. 1200–700 BC. Western Asiatic. A bronze axe head with a curved blade, triangular cheek and a heavy, circular socket. 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 contexts. 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 axe heads were common votive offerings in shrines. Most of the Western-Asiatic bronze items have been recovered in funerary contexts. Custom made stand included. Property of a North London gentleman; previously acquire on the UK/European art market in the 1980s. Size: L:127mm / W:52mm ; 600g