Egyptian Predynastic Pear-Shaped Stone Mace Head on Custom Stand

拍品描述

North Africa, Egypt, Predynastic period, ca. 3500–3100 BCE. A stone mace head shaped like an inverted pear or teardrop. Its broad, rounded shoulder tapers gradually to a narrower base. A cylindrical shaft hole is bored straight through the long axis. Its mouth sits neatly at the crown, where a wooden haft would once have passed. The stone has been ground and burnished to an even, tactile sheen. Pale cream areas show through clouds of russet and chocolate-brown mottling, and a few small natural pits mark the surface. The pear form succeeded the earlier flat disc mace head in the Nile Valley. It was a weapon, but probably also a token of authority, and the form later became a lasting emblem of royal power in Egyptian art. The mace head comes with a custom display stand. Size: 2.84" H x 2.75" Diam (7.2 cm H x 7.0 cm Diam); Size on included custom stand: 5" H (12.7 cm H). In Egypt, the pear-shaped mace head is generally linked with the Naqada II (Gerzean) phase, when it largely replaced the disc-shaped heads of Naqada I. Its rounded, compact mass would have delivered a concentrated blow. Over time, however, the mace became a symbol more than a battlefield tool. By the close of the Predynastic period, rulers were shown on ceremonial palettes and mace heads raising the pear-headed mace over kneeling enemies, as on the Narmer Palette. This "smiting the enemy" pose remained a standard royal image for the next three thousand years. SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700. PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception. Item #204397

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