Object: Hammer-Flanged Axe
Classification: decorated
Period: Bronze Age
Collection: Private, R. Abel Smith, Esq., Netherwood Manor, Tenbury Wells, Worcs., Given to him by an ironmonger & antiques dealer in Tenbury, Worcs., who said he bought them from the late Mr. Childe-Freeman (died 1943) & he understood they came from Netherwood as stated.
Site: stated to have been found in herefordshire, n.e. (near worcs. border) p. thornbury, netherwood manor (old house) in digging foundation for a pigsty c. 1921.
Parish: Netherwood
County: Herefordshire
Country: England
Year of discovery: 1921
Length (mm): 166
Width (mm): ridge 35, butt 32
Edge (mm): 78
Thickness (mm): Flange 11, body of ridge 10
Weight (g): 396.9
Patina: Brown, rubbed, [...] areas show overall punched decoration down faces; no design, but lines [...] [...] near [...] edge on face drawn.
Surface: pitted & worn, but general preservation & outline of implement is good.
Composition: Bronze
Associations: Said to have been found, 'with a lot more", including a cast-flanged axe, a winged (Irish) Palstave, & a small ribbed (Irish) spearhead in the same collection. Irish type
Description: Sides hammer up in 2 places to form very low flanges; no ornament on sides.  Faces taper from line above centre.  Edge fairly sharp, slightly chipped: marked second ridge.
Publications: L.F. Chitty, Trans. Woolhope NFC., xxxii, ii (1947), xlv-xlix, Photo
Remarks: (?) Possibly escapes from the Museum Collection of St. Michael's Choir School, Tenbury, thrown away in 1937, which included an Irish halberd.  Lily F. Chitty 18th March 1947