Combat scene on Mycenaean seal from Pylos

[Justin Swanton]

That's because it's not a club, it's the scabbard for his sword.

That would explain the opening at one end of the "club"!
Any thoughts on what the bulb is for on the pointy end of the scabbard?

Its odd that the prone man's scabbard has actually fallen off. Maybe that's why he died 

Any chance the scabbard itself could have doubled as a club? A bit like a knobkerry.

[Justin Swanton]

Another thing I picked up on. Does anyone realise just how small the detail is? The head of the warrior giving the killing blow is about 3 - 4 millimetres wide. How was it done?

[Imperial Dave]

that is staggeringly good detail

[Erpingham]

Another thing I picked up on. Does anyone realise just how small the detail is? The head of the warrior giving the killing blow is about 3 - 4 millimetres wide. How was it done?

By a very short-sighted, highly dextrous person with a very fine tool?  No, I don't know either.  Impressive though.

[Jim Webster]

Another thing I picked up on. Does anyone realise just how small the detail is? The head of the warrior giving the killing blow is about 3 - 4 millimetres wide. How was it done?

By a very short-sighted, highly dextrous person with a very fine tool?  No, I don't know either.  Impressive though.

Funnily enough I'd also wondered if the artist was very short sighted

[evilgong]

I have a memory of one of the ancient sources saying gem cutters would spend a 3 (or was it 5) year apprenticeship just learning tools and material before they got to do any serious work.

[Patrick Waterson]

Judging by the striations on the material, I would say the tool used was some form of pin or chisel resembling a miniature screwdriver, used with a small stone as a hammer by a very patient and painstaking craftsman.