Late 3rd millennium BC. A bronze mace head comprising a long cylindrical shaft with narrow flanged base partially preserved, the upper section with three vertical relief panels decorated by herringbone pattern divided and bordered by parallel ridges, similar band with ridged grooves around the base. See Godard, A., Les Bronzes du Luristan, Paris, 1931, pl.XIX, no.58, for a similar mace; see also Christie's, The Axel Guttmann Collection of Ancient Arms and Armour, part 1, London, 2002, p.24, nos.18-19; Khorasani, M. M., 'Bronze and iron weapons from Luristan' in Antiguo Oriente: Cuadernos del Centro de Estudios de Historia del Antiguo Oriente, 7, 2009, fig.8. 592 grams, 24.5cm (9 3/4"). Ex important Japanese collection, 1970s-2010. According to Godard, these bronze implements were fittings for axe shafts (Godard, 1931, p.59"). More recent interpretations agree on their character as mace heads. This knopped bronze mace head was probably made using the lost-wax process. Condition Report Fine condition, socket chipped.