Mace Head
1973.2.242
Information
Pear-shaped mace head carved from dolomite and finely polished. Perforated through the centre for hafting to a handle. Pear-shaped mace heads like this replaced the earlier pear-shaped mace heads by about 3500 BC (Naqada II). The edge is chipped in some places.
Purchased by Mr Wilkes for Sir Henry Wellcome at Sotheby's London, 26 June - 6 July 1922 (MacGregor collection) Lot 1071: "A Drill-head, of hemispherical form, the flat base worn through and the hole in the middle very highly polished by use, 1 1/2 in. high by 3 in. diam., in diorite, archaic period; also two Mace-heads, one 3 1/4 in. high, in greenish-grey and ivory white marble, the other 2 1/2 in. high, in black and white marble".