Luristan Bronze Bird Spike-Butted Axehead. 11th-8th century B.C. Blade with folded upper and lower edge, cylindrical socket with projecting ribs formed as the necks and heads of birds, blade 'projecting' from the mouth of a roaring lion at the neck. Cf. The British Museum, museum number 130676 for similar; cf. The Metropolitan Museum, New York, accession numbers 32.161.3 and 1988.102.2, for similar. 478 grams, 22.5 cm (8 7/8 in.). (For this specific lot, 5% import VAT is applicable on the hammer price.) Ex Parisian private collection. with Cuvreau Expertises Enchères S.A., sale 60, 21 June 2009, lot 105. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.11876-206787.