Luristan Sar-e Tabar Socketted Axehead
2nd millennium B.C. With plain cylindrical socket and staff, off-set at the base, of simple undecorated shape with a long lentoid-section D-shaped blade with scooped profile. Cf. Moorey, P.R.S., Catalogue of the ancient Persian Bronzes in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, 1971, pl.1, items 4 and 5. 465 grams, 18 cm (7 in.).

Earlier 20th century collection. Mayfair, London gallery, UK. Dr D.G. collection, 1990s-2019.

Many examples of bronze axeheads are attributed to the Luristan culture and various shapes have been discussed by different scholars. Moorey (1971, pp.39-41) shows similar axeheads, stating that the texts executed on some specimens have shown them made of arsenical bronze, and attributes them to the late 3rd millennium B.C. or 2nd millennium B.C., period in which this alloy was used abundantly.