Babylonian Bronze Axehead
2nd millennium B.C. A bronze duck-billed shaft-hole axe head featuring a curved, beak-shaped blade with two pierced eyes and a raised median ridge. Cf. Gernez, G., L’armament en métal au Proche et Moyen-Orient: des origines a 1750 av. J.C., Paris, 2007, fig.2.42, type H4b. 204 grams, 10.5 cm (4 1/8 in.). Acquired early 1990s.Ex private American collection; thence by descent.Private Swiss collection since 1998. [For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price]