Near Eastern Bronze Mace

Culture: Hittite

Period: around 1000 B.C.

Material: Bronze

Dimensions: 48.2 cm long

Price: Sold

Ref: 6541

Provenance: Axel Guttmann collection with the inventory number AG 212, auctioned with Christie's on 6 November 2002, lot 34. Thence in a German private collection.

Condition: Broken in the middle and without missing parts professionally reattached.

Description: Massive cast, heavy bronze mace with a circular, towards the top broadening shaft and a long, square and abundantly decorated head. The decoration engraved in cold work depicts on opposite sides sun motives with stars in three registers. On the other two opposite sides in four registers overlapping arches, which form on top a shining sun that can possibly be interpreted as a sunrise. The end of the handle is set off and disc-shaped. A rare form, possibly from the Hittite culture.