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Axe

1766–1045 BCE
(c. 1600–c. 1046 BCE)
bronze
Overall: 23.8 cm (9 3/8 in.)
Edward L. Whittemore Fund 1941.549
Location: not on view
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Did You Know?

A staff or pike would have attached to the blade via the socket below the owl's head.

Description

The head of an owl with large eyes and ears, sitting above the blade of a halberd-axe, may have deterred evil and harm from its carrier. Whether such an axe was used in ritual or warfare is not clear.
Axe

Axe

1766–1045 BCE

China, Shang dynasty (c. 1600–c. 1046 BCE)

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