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Mughal / Persian Iron Axe, Durrani Empire, 1816

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:70.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 500.00 USD
Mughal / Persian Iron Axe, Durrani Empire, 1816
Offered in this lot is an Vintage Mughal / Persian Iron Axe, circa 1816. Provenance: the Owen D. Mort, Jr. Collection. Owen David Mort was an American engineer who amassed an impressive collection throughout his worldwide travels. His collection has included art, artifacts and other historical items from which he has donated to museums at the University of Utah and Snite Museum of Art, the University of Notre Dame, including African, Afghan, Indian, Mughal, Persian and Far East Asian artifacts. At the beginning of the Iron Age old axe types, such as the socketed axe, were simply reproduced in iron, but the possibilities of the new material led the appearance of the axes to change gradually. The non-shaft-hole axes disappeared and were replaced by axes with a hole for a handle. The axe heads also became larger, with broader blades. This axe is a throwing style axe, the wood haft is lightweight and thin. Both axe faces are engraved with 5th Century AD Greco type male images, the upper image features a laurel wreath head piece, with an engraved monitor lizard rear-facing basal process or “spur”, both top and bottom of the bit are engraved in an arrow broadhead style. "1816" is engraved on the forehead of one of the lower male figures. Axe is in nice preserved condition, haft has two holes for attaching a carrying leather strap, axe faces exhibit pitting from age and normal usage. Measures 25.75"L x 6.5"W, weight 1lb, 14oz.