14A002
AXE BLADE
Luristan, circa 1000 B.C.
Bronze, Length: 22 cm.

Cast axe blade with cylindrical hole for shaft. The blade is of an elegant, roughly triangular shape, its upper edge curving downward and its lower edge curving around in a 270 degree arc. At the back are five straight ribs terminating in conical points. Raised extensions from the first, second, and third ribs join and run onto the blade as a single raised line terminating in an arrowhead. All of the extensions and the arrowhead are decorated with incised patterns. For a nearly identical axe blade, see P.R.S. Moorey, Catalogue of the Ancient Persian Bronzes in the Ashmolean Museum, 17. Elaborate blades of this sort were used as parade weapons, as votives, and as attributes of cult statues. They may have been associated especially with the god Hadad.

Catalogue XIV

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