Circa mid 3rd-early 2nd millennium B.C. With ribbed terminals; the upper body with three relief panels of herringbone design, the main body decorated with spikes, three lion bodies arranged vertically, and three ram-head protomes under the central herringbone panel; mounted on a custom-made stand. Cf. Moorey, P.R.S., Ancient Persian Bronzes in the Adam Collection, Oxford, 1974, p. 49, no. 18; Mahboubian, H., Art of Ancient Iran. Copper and Bronze, London, 1997, p.169, no.177. 650 grams total, 18.5 cm high (26.5 cm high including stand) (7 1/4 in. (10 3/8 in.)).

Ex Kuizenga collection, Netherlands. Acquired in Hamburg, Germany, 22 December 1995.

Moorey notes that though the rows of spikes suggest that these objects were designed to be mounted on wooden shafts as cudgels, the projections in the form of lions (?) indicates the possibility that they were also used as votive or parade weapons. However, it does not exclude an effective use on the battlefield, especially if used by commanders as signs of rank.