MASSUE Bronze with dark patina Dim. 17 x 6 x 7 cm Luristan, Archaic Dynasties, 2900-2300 BC Provenance Ex Rassla Foundation, Switzerland, 1970s Published in G. Ligabue, G. Rossi Osmida, Sulla via delle Oasi, Il Punto Ed, Padova, 2007, p. 227 The head of a pear-shaped weapon mace has an interlocking device at the top. The finely engraved decoration is arranged in two superimposed registers: the upper register shows four figures in the orant position, an attitude characteristic of Sumerian protodynastic iconography; the lower register consists of three horizontal friezes delimited by rows of four conical protuberances in relief, each frieze depicting a recurring predatory scene: a feline stalking a capridae. A Luristan predynastic bronze Mace. c. 2900-2300 BCE. Piriform mace head featuring at its apex a socket designed for hafting. The finely engraved decoration is arranged in two superimposed registers: the upper register depicts four figures in an orant position, an attitude characteristic of Sumerian Early Dynastic iconography; the lower register comprises three horizontal friezes delineated by rows of four conical protuberances in relief, each frieze representing a recurring scene of predation: a feline stalking a caprid.