Object: Cast Flanged Axe
Classification: Decorated
Period: Bronze Age
Collection: Private Collection,R. Abel Smith, Esq.,Netherwood Manor, Tenbury Wells, Worcs.,Given to him by an ironmonger and antique dealer in Tenbury, Worcs., who said he bought them from Mr. Chile-Freeman (d. 1943), and he understood they came from Netherwood as stated.
Site: England,Herefordshire,?Ireland: no history, But,Stated to have been found in Herefordshire, NW (near Worcs. border),p. Thornbury,Netherwood Manor (old house),in digging foundations for a pigsty,c.1921
Country: Ireland
Year of discovery: 1921
Length (mm): 123
Width (mm): 20
Edge (mm): 62
Thickness (mm): 13
Weight (g): 227
Patina: Brown.
Surface: Fairly goof. Face A. Remains of dull brown patina over gold core which shows lustrous on edges. Face B. Rich chocolate-brown.
Composition: Bronze
Other: Width: edge 62mm; centre 27mm; butt 20mm,Thickness: Flange 13mm; Centre 10mm,Weight: 8 oz = 226.796
Associations: Said to have been found "with a lot more", including a hammer-flanged axe, decorated, a winged (irish) palstave, and a small ribbed (irish) spearhead, in the same collection.
Description: Good condition. Butt end plain. Central low ridge. Between ridges and secondary edge faces are rippled in a curved hollow bands, much worn on face B.  Edge well curved and finely preserved. Low cast flanges: sides hammered and fluted in 3 planes.
Publications: L.F. Chitty, Trans Woolhope NFC, XXXII, ii (1947), xlv-xlix, Photo.
Remarks: Irish type; panel of ornament characteristic. ? Possibly escapes from the Museum Collection of St. Michael's Choir School, Tenbury, thrown away in 1937, which included a bronze halbard of Irish type.,L. F. Chitty. 18 March 1947