A Bronze Double Headed Bull Mace Head, Near East Anatolian, circa 2100 B.C.E.– 1550 B.C.E.

This Bronze Double-Headed Bull Mace Head, originating from the Near East Anatolian region circa 2100–1550 B.C.E., is a striking example of ancient artistry and symbolism. The mace head features two imposing bull heads sculpted with remarkable detail and power, with their facial features exuding strength and dominance.

The bulls’ horns and expressions reflect the reverence for these animals in ancient cultures, often symbolizing fertility, power, and protection.

The handle, crafted in an openwork lattice style, showcases the artisan’s advanced skill in metalworking. The lattice pattern adds both aesthetic beauty and functional lightness to the piece. Though one of the bulls’ ears shows an ancient loss, the artifact remains in fine condition, its surface adorned with a rich natural patina, adding to its historical authenticity and appeal.

H. 19 cm

W. 13 cm

Significance

In ancient Anatolia, bulls were potent symbols of strength, fertility, and divine power, often associated with deities and rulers. This double-headed bull mace head likely held ceremonial or ritual significance, symbolizing authority, protection, or a connection to the divine. Its exquisite craftsmanship speaks to the advanced skills of the ancient Near Eastern metalworkers and their ability to imbue objects with profound cultural meaning.

This artifact dates to the Middle Bronze Age (circa 2100–1550 B.C.E.), a time when Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) was a hub of cultural and technological development.

The Bronze Age Near East saw the rise of complex societies, city-states, and trade networks, with bronze becoming a favored material for both tools and ceremonial objects. Mace heads were often symbolic, used in rituals or carried as a mark of authority and power.

The mace head is crafted from bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, which was highly valued during the Bronze Age for its durability and ability to hold intricate designs. The green patina covering the surface is a natural result of oxidation over millennia, further emphasizing its age and authenticity.

The Private Collection of the Baidun Family
Mahmoud Baidun (1920-1980) founded what would become Khader M Badiun and Sons Galleries in Jerusalem, Israel. As a young boy, Mahmoud would accompany archeologists, biblical scholars, and visiting delegations on excavation sites all over Jerusalem and other sites within the country. Earning the trust of scholars and archeologists alike, Mahmoud became an indispensable presence and guide to other visiting scholars. When Mr. Baidun entered the antiquities trade, he would be granted trade license under the British Mandate and from the Hashemite Kingdom. When Israel authorized the trade of antiquities, Mahmoud was issued one of the first antiquities licenses issued in the country. He would later forge close relationships with other merchants; slowly building a massive private collection that would go on to sell to political leaders, international museums, and private collectors globally.