13th-6th century B.C. A bronze axehead with ribbed openwork socket terminating in a butt formed of four cones, the blade expanding from the mouth of a growling lion with a flowing mane; mounted on a custom-made display stand. Cf. Godard, F., The Art of Iran, London, 1965, item 99, forparable; Moorey, P.R.S., Catalogue of the ancient Persian Bronzes in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, 1971, Pl.2, nos.14-16, items 51-52; cf. also Musée Cernuschi, Bronzes de Luristan, énigmes de l'Iran Ancien, IIIe-Ier millenaire av. J.C., Paris, 2008, p.44, fig.1,3; p.97, no.45, for similar types; cf. also The Metropolitan Museum, accession numbers 32.161.2 and 32.161.3, forparable examples. 550 grams, 26.5 cm (1.36 kg total, 16 cm high including stand) (10 1/2 in. (6 1/4 in.)). Acquired before 1983. Ex London gallery, 1990s. It is difficult to know whether this type of axe, given its high decoration in some specimens, was used as a real weapon or was just a symbol of rank and prestige, employed for ceremonial or cult purposes. Considering, however, that the concept of parade weapons did not exist in the surrounding areas, these axes were most probably used for both military and ceremonial purposes. It is interesting that a lion’s head motif appears as a decorative feature on many axe-heads, such as our specimen. The lion’s open jaws form the base of the axe head, and the blade is attached to this; the lion is a symbol intended to give the weapon the strength of the most powerful beasts of the animal kingdom. [A video of this lot is available to view on Timeline Auctions .]