A Chinese flat bronze axe with animal head end, Western Zhou, 8th - 6th century B.C. Slightly trapezoidal blade, approx. 5 mm thick. A stylized biting animal head attached to the base. The outline marks anatomical details such as the occiput, ears, nostrils and a recurved tip of the upper jaw. Additional incised decoration on the obverse, e.g. concentric circles as eyes, teeth in the bared mouth. Dark green patina. Surface with incrustations, especially on the back. Length 16.4 cm. Provenance: Frankfurt private collection. Acquired in April 2016 at Hermann Historica (auction 73, lot 4548). Previously Rhenish private collection, taken over from the father's estate, acquired by him in the 1960s to 1980s. Condition: II -

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