13th-6th century BC. A substantial bronze axehead with tubular socket and two heads; one arranged horizontally at a right-angle with waisted profile and D-shaped cutting edge; the other arranged vertically at a right-angle with flared upper and curved lower edge, with flared blade. 1 kg, 23cm (9"). From an Essex antiques gallery; formerly in a 1980s private collection. Likely used for both war and work. Unadorned weapons, especially axes, adzes and picks, were made by Luristan craftsmen using simple clay or stone bivalve moulds, into which a core was inserted to form the socket for the shaft. Typically, the metallic composition consisted of a combination of arsenical bronze and copper, together with a small percentage of lead.