Ancient Egyptian Stone War Mace Predynastic Period Naqada II (Gerzean ca. 3600 - 3150 B.C.)

Ancient Egyptian artifacts from the Predynastic Period, specifically the Naqada II (Gerzean) era, which dates back to around 3600 - 3150 B.C. The artifact is a hand-carved war mace head made of reddish-brown stone, possibly Breccia. The mace head has a globular shape with a large cylindrical perforation in the center, which tapers towards one end. The base of the hole is carved with a pronounced reinforced rim, which was used to attach the head securely to a wooden handle.

Egyptian warriors used the stone mace as a close-range weapon for hand-to-hand combat, known for its deadly effectiveness.

One side of the mace has a slightly flattened surface that was caused by an impact during a fight. This is clear evidence that the mace was used in combat. 

CONDITION: The mace head's surface displays unique erosion caused by minerals during its thousand-year underground burial.

Please see all 18 pictures in the listing since they are part of the description of the object's condition.

MEASUREMENTS:

Diameter: 7 cm (2.76 inches).

Height: 6 cm (2.36 inches).

Weight: 364 grams. (0.802 lb.).

REFERENCES:

"Les armes de l'Egypte ancienne - La collection du musée du Louvre de Nathalie Couton-Perche" Page. 30-32.

Many depictions of ancient Egyptian Pharaohs show them wielding a large stone mace and using it to strike their enemies.

Please see the links below.

https://owlcation.com/humanities/Smiting-the-Enemy

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narmer_Palette

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/571003

The buyer will be provided with a copy of the pages from the mentioned references, together with a certificate of authenticity.

PROVENANCE: Ex-private old Canadian collection of antiques and antiquities formed in the 1980s.