BACTRIAN ROMAN EMPIRE BRONZE CLAW MACE HEAD,Circa 2nd millennium B.C. This mace is of a uniquely Bactrian form. It is a hollow oval with four long "claws" on the bottom. The claws were presumably tightened onto a wooden haft. These maces are usually found bent with one or more claws missing. They appear to have been struck off their haft and do not appear to be a very effective construction explaining why the design did not spread beyond Bactria. The construction of these maces is quite simple and they may be very early. Sarianidi dates them to the 2100 to 1600 BC era. This example is covered in a hard green-blue patina with sand and stone bits incorporated. Presented on a custom display mount. Provenance: Consignor acquired it from Arte Primitivo (Howard S. Rose Gallery) on it July 2015 auction (Lot 369). Ex NYC collection acquired in a minor European auction house in 1980's - Height including stand: 5.5 inches; without stand: 3 inches. Estimate $300-400
