Egyptian Predynastic Hematite Mace Head

拍品描述

North Africa, Egypt, Predynastic Period, ca. 3800–3100 BCE. A mace head of dense hematite, ground into a compact, rounded pear shape and pierced lengthwise to take a wooden haft. The stone has a deep oxblood-to-black luster, with rusty red showing through where the polish thins. Working a mineral this hard into a nearly perfect sphere would have taken many hours of grinding with abrasive sand. That effort suggests the piece was probably a mark of rank as much as a weapon. In Predynastic Egypt the mace became a symbol of authority, and heads of fine, hard stones like this one were likely meant for display and burial with an elite owner rather than for everyday use. It is mounted on a custom display stand. Size: 1.74" H x 2.1" Diam (4.4 cm H x 5.3 cm Diam); Size on included custom stand: 3.8" H (9.7 cm H). The mace is one of the earliest symbols of royal power in the Nile Valley. Flattened disc-shaped heads were made first, and pear-shaped forms like this one became common in the later Predynastic period. The motif lasted well beyond that age. Scenes of the pharaoh "smiting" his enemies with a raised mace, first seen on monuments such as the Narmer Palette, stayed part of Egyptian royal imagery for about 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 #204445

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