**Originally Listed At $250**
Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Dong Son Culture, ca. late 1st millennium BCE. An elegant curved axe head with an asymmetrical blade and ovoid socket as well as an opening at the top of the socket. The casting technique for Dong Son bronzes was demanding artistically and technically, and it seems likely based on archaeological investigation that they were made by local workshops staffed by specialists. These specialists shared knowledge throughout their geographic region, and weapons like this one are constructed similarly to those from the Warring States period in China. We know of them mainly from burials, and it seems that bronze items - both the making of and ownership of - were controlled by a limited elite who used them to acquire and maintain power over their own people. As elsewhere in the Old World, there is a clear relationship between sophisticated bronze metallurgical technology and the development of highly stratified, militaristic societies. Size: 2.8" W x 2.45" H (7.1 cm x 6.2 cm); 4.7" H (11.9 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Butterfield 2006
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.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance),
we will no longer ship PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#139329
Condition
Small losses along the edge of the blade. Beautiful turquoise patina on surface and light encrusted deposits.