Object: Palstave
Classification: Irish
Period: Bronze Age
Collection: London, Society of Antiquaries Collection, B.61
Site: Ireland,Unprovenanced,"W Downing Bruce, Esq, F.S.A. exhibited a brown celt and an urn found in Ireland. The celt was of the usual Irish type of palstave, with slight side ridges and slight stop ridges, and without loop; it was 3 3/4 inches long, and had several holes in it." (a),This description closely matches B61 in the Society's collection, and the card index most (b) erroneously attributes it to the axe fragment marked B.62. No mention of associations with urn (a)
Country: Ireland
Year of discovery: NA
Length (mm): 98.2
Width (mm): butt 20.0
Edge (mm): 35.3
Thickness (mm): max T. sep 7.8; min T st. 16.3
Surface: Small frags. of blue green p. in sep., rest flaked rubbed to dull brown, some gold hints - both smooth and rough; little pale green sur.
Description: Dimensions: L 98.2; We 35.3; Wbt 20.0; Bfg 24.3; max T. sep. 7.8; min T. st. 16.3,Typology: pron. ledge stops - rounded angles now - asymmetrical in profile; traces of shield ink on either face, outsurviving in centre - poss. just dertern.; sharp fg. crests; sep. floor sl. curved,Manufacture: v. rounded e. bev.; cg. fl. remains on rounded low ridge - signs of valve dislocation on one side.,Condition: e. blunt; notches in 2 fgs - anc? [Spab?] from 2 perforns - 4 other poss. drill holes (3 on rev.)
Publications: a) P.S.A., II, 1861-4, 5-6,b) S.o.A.L, Card Index
Remarks: Labels/Markings: white ink inscr. "B.61",Metallurgy - Analyst: Desch? 2 large drill holes - right through,PIF,DF(C),SN Feb 77,Source: MV,Old cards: 1