Late 7^th – early 6^th century B.C.

Bronze

Length: 12.2 cm

Serial: 2952

Provenance : Sotheby’s London, December 1991

This ornamented bronze ax head possesses a slender, pointed blade, setting it apart from the heavier, rounded forms of other ancient axes, its delicacy suggesting that it was used for a ceremonial purpose rather than for as a tool or weapon. The blade is designed with a central ridge to emphasize the elongated shape, and the back end of the ax head is decorated with opposing heads of heads of mouflons, that also serve to counterbalance the front.

The mouflon is a species of wild sheep found throughout the Near East and Central Asia that is believed to be one of the ancestors of modern sheep stock. It was among the first animals to be domesticated, and thus played a pivotal role in the economy and ritual of many ancient societies. Being nomads and herders, mouflons were undoubtedly an important element of Scythian culture, providing meat, milk, wool and horn while being hardy enough to survive in the harsh environments north of the Black Sea.