Early Bronze Age ceremonial axe

III Millennium B.C.
Iran

Cast. Thick flat assimetrical axe head with curved blade and elliptical socket in the middle, projecting through the butt, with 4 rivets along the length from both sides. Raised ridge along head’s perimeter on both side.
The patina is green, brown and red. The difference in patinas traces a handle that was once attached. The blade is rectangular in cross-section and not sharp. This axe was used as a ceremonial object.

Length 4.7″(12.0 cm), thickness 0.5″(1.3 cm).

For similar examples see:

– Stutzinger D., Mit Hieb und Stich Bronzewaffen aus dem alten Iran Die Sammlung von Gravert (Frakfurt am Main, 2008), p.58, cat.37