A Fine Ancient Near East Caucasian Bronze Age Koban Culture Finely Decorated Bronze Shaft-Hole Axe Head
A Fine Ancient Near East Caucasian Bronze Age Koban Culture Finely Decorated Bronze Shaft-Hole Axe Head
Solid cast with extensively chiselled and punched decoration
Richly gilded bronze patina with patches of deep green
Small repair to nick on blade
9th - 8th Century BC
Size: 5.5cm high, 18cm long, 3cm deep - 2¼ ins high, 7 ins long, 1¼ ins deep
Solid cast with extensively chiselled and punched decoration
Richly gilded bronze patina with patches of deep green
Small repair to nick on blade
9th - 8th Century BC
Size: 5.5cm high, 18cm long, 3cm deep - 2¼ ins high, 7 ins long, 1¼ ins deep
A Fine Ancient Near East Caucasian Bronze Age Koban Culture Finely Decorated Bronze Shaft-Hole Axe Head
Solid cast with extensively chiselled and punched decoration
Richly gilded bronze patina with patches of deep green
Small repair to nick on blade
9th - 8th Century BC
Size: 5.5cm high, 18cm long, 3cm deep - 2¼ ins high, 7 ins long, 1¼ ins deep
Solid cast with extensively chiselled and punched decoration
Richly gilded bronze patina with patches of deep green
Small repair to nick on blade
9th - 8th Century BC
Size: 5.5cm high, 18cm long, 3cm deep - 2¼ ins high, 7 ins long, 1¼ ins deep
The Koban culture 1100 to 400 BC is a late Bronze Age and Iron Age culture of the northern and central Caucasus. It is named after the village of Koban where in 1869 many battle axes, daggers and other items were discovered in a ‘Kurgan’ or burial mound. These axe heads were often found in grave sites as they were emblems of power and probably had a cult significance. Used in personal combat they were decorated to intimidate an enemy. Three closely hatched ribs strengthen and adorn the outer sides of the shaft-hole and the blade surface is carefully chiselled with fine abstract lines; it is characteristic of the best of these stylised axe heads.
Ex Private London collection
Acquired Christies London 5th October 2000, lot 188
Art Loss Register Certificate available
cf: A plainer example in the collections of the British Museum London BM1913.1215.9
Acquired Christies London 5th October 2000, lot 188
Art Loss Register Certificate available
cf: A plainer example in the collections of the British Museum London BM1913.1215.9
A Fine Ancient Near East Caucasian Bronze Age Koban Culture Finely Decorated Bronze Shaft-Hole Axe Head
SOLD
