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THBRare Scythian Bronze Ritual Snake & Ibex Effigy Axe
About Seller
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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About Auction
LiveNov 10, 2022
Museum-worthy examples of classical antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Viking, Far East / Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Native American, Spanish Colonial, Nautical, Fossils, Ancient Jewelry, Fine / Visual Arts, so much more! Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
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- Lot Description
Central Asia, southern Russian steppe region, Scythian Empire, ca. 8th to 2nd century BCE. An extremely rare cast bronze axe head that features classic Scythian animals. This shaft-hole axe has a small transverse blade that is held by two seated ibex which are facing apart. The body of the axe shows elaborate engraved designs with wings but the end of the axe terminates to a long snake head. Considering known rituals of the ancient Scythians, it is likely this axe was used in a ritual context, especially the animals it displays. Both human and animal sacrifices to a variety of Scythian gods were performed throughout each year, and it is possible a weapon such as this specimen was intended for such practices. Scythians worshiped snakes, believing in their descent from the supreme god known in modern day as the "Snake-Legged Goddess," also referred to as the "Anguipede Goddess." Several representations depict her as a goddess with snakes or tendrils as legs, and was associated to the life-giving principle. Size: 5.5" L (14 cm)
Every year, the Scythians held a ceremony to honor their war god, Ares, during which they sacrificed cattle, horses and every hundredth prisoner of war to him. Libations of wine were poured over the prisoners who were to be sacrificed, following which their throats were cut over a vessel to catch their blood. This vessel was carried to the top of the brushwood high place of the god and the prisoners' blood was poured as libations on the sword functioning as the god's idol, and their right arms were severed and thrown into the sky and left wherever they fell. The use of horses and of the blood and right arms of prisoners in the cult of the Scythian Ares was a symbolic devotion of the swiftness of horses and the strength of men to this god of kingship who had similar powers, and the tall brushwood altar on which the blood was offered to the god was a representation of the world mountain. According to Herodotus, animal sacrifices among the Scythians to all gods except to the Scythian Ares were carried out by tying a rope around the front legs of the sacrificial animal, then the offeror of the sacrifice standing behind the animal and pulling the rope to throw the animal forward, and strangling it to death using a rope tied around the animal's neck and tightened using a stick. The sacrificed animal was then cut up, its flesh was boiled in a cauldron, or, for those who did not have a cauldron, in the animal's own skin, while the bones were added to the fire on which the animal's flesh was cooked so they could be consumed following the approved ritual. Once the meat was cooked, the person who initiated the sacrifice would throw some of cooked meat and entrails into the ground as an offering for the god. This method of sacrifice was typical of the more nomadic Scythians.
Provenance: ex-private New York, USA collection, formed in the 1960s
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
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#175616No repairs or restoration and intact and mineral deposits.Condition
- Shipping Info
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Artemis Gallery will no longer be able to offer in-house shipping for most international orders, as well as all oversized orders, including most paintings. These items are clearly marked in the listing as “3rd Party Shipping Required” in the listing. We have a list of recommended third party shippers to assist you in shipping to and from, and would be happy to assist you in working with them. We require a written authorization from the client to release property to any third party. You may fax a Shipping Release Form to 303-828-3235 or email your authorization to kristen@artemisgallery.com. Please note the all property must be removed from our premises within seven (7) business days following the last day of the auction.
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