A rare Chinese Green-Stone Mace Head, Neolithic Period, ca. 3000 - 2000 BCE

The mace-head is more than a weapon, it is a unique object that has a ritual role symbolizing one's authority and prestige. This fine example is carved from green stone, the exterior carefully hand polished, and drilled through the center for attachment to a wooden shaft.The archaeological evidence available so far has revealed that the earliest mace-heads first appeared in the Near East about 8300–6000 BCE along with the early development and spread of agriculture. In China, mace-heads were found only in Xinjiang, Gansu, Qinghai, and Western Shaanxi in Northwestern Chine, indicating the Western origin of this type of artifact.Condition: Mineral accretion throughout, but intact and in excellent condition overall. Custom mounted.Dimensions: Diameter: 2 3/4 inches (7 cm)Provenance: Private upstate New York collection, acquired in the early 2000s.