2nd-1st millennium BC. A hoard of bronze axeheads comprising: (1) Palstave axehead, complete in extremely good condition, some patches of corrosion visible; flanges rising gradually from the butt, fusing to the stop bar above the septum; below the stop bar a raised triangle within a triangular depression; body narrow with triangular blade; cutting edge is complete except for small pockets of corrosion damage; casting seam partially visible but not prominent, raised ridges across the flange; blade tips complete; to one face linear striations from polishing. (2) Palstave axehead, complete in good condition, patches of corrosion; butt slightly damaged; flanges rising in a convex curve from the butt, fusing to the stop bar above the septum; body narrow and triangular blade; cutting edge complete except for corrosion and one blade tip absent; small sub-triangular depression below the stop bar. (3) Palstave axehead, complete in good condition, patches of corrosion; flanges rising in a convex curve from the butt, fusing to the stop bar above the septum with small sub-triangular depression just below the stop; butt corners slightly damaged, and small nick to the butt (ancient damage); casting flaw to one flange tip; body narrow, triangular blade with a small flare to the blade tip; cutting edge slightly asymmetrical (due to re-sharpening?"). (4) Palstave axehead, complete in good condition, patches of corrosion; flanges rising in a convex curve from the butt, fusing to the stop bar above the septum; small sub-triangular depression just below the stop; body narrow with triangular blade; partial casting seam remaining along each flange; edge with small chips along its length, blade slightly asymmetrical. (5) Palstave axehead, complete in good condition; flanges rising from the butt, fusing to the stop bar above the septum; below the stop bar a raised triangle within a triangular depression; body narrow with triangular blade; flange/side profile lozenge-shaped; damage to the butt end, flange tips and cutting edge. (6) Palstave axehead, complete in good condition; flanges rising a short distance from the butt to a rounded flange, fusing to the stop bar above the septum; below the stop bar a small sub-triangular depression at the top of the blade; triangular blade slightly asymmetrical (re-sharpened?); edge bevel visible towards the cutting edge, blade tips rounded (through use?); remains of casting flashes along the flange sides on the haft-end of the axe. (7) Palstave axehead, complete in good condition; flanges beginning a short distance from the butt end into a rounded flange, fusing to the stop bar above the septum; below the stop bar an indentation, roughly sub-triangular, at the top of the blade surface, leading to a triangular blade; short edge-bevel towards the cutting edge, slightly damaged with chips; blade slightly asymmetrical (due to re-sharpening?"). (8) Palstave axehead, complete in good condition; flanges rising from the butt end, fusing to the stop bar above the septum with U-shaped profile; triangular blade flaring slightly at the tips; small notches along the blade edge (ancient damage?"). (9) Palstave axehead, complete copper in good condition; flanges rising from the butt end and fusing to the stop bar; below the stop bar a small sub-triangular depression, body widening to a triangular blade; damage to the butt corners and small chips along the flange tips and the cutting edge; on one of the flange sides an irregular casting flaw ground down in prehistory. (10) Palstave axehead, complete in good condition; flanges rising from the butt end, fusing to the stop bar above the U-section septum; triangular blade rounded at the tips; below the stop bar a short indentation, roughly sub-triangular/rectangular; blade and cutting edge corroded, blade slightly asymmetrical (due to re-sharpening?"). See Evans, John, The Ancient Bronze Implements, Weapons and Ornaments of Great Britain and Ireland, London, 1881, pp.76-84 and figs.56-68 for similar types. See Portable Antiquities Scheme, reference PAS KENT-593613 (this find"). 4.8 kg total, 17-18cm (6 3/4 - 7"). Found near Manston, Kent, UK, 30 April 2017; subsequently returned to the finder in late 2018; accompanied by copies of the British Museum PAS report number KENT-593613, and Treasure Act documentation under Treasure Reference 2017 T459. We understand that the axes have been lightly cleaned by a professional conservator to remove soil only and a coat of incralac lacquer applied to protect the natural patination. [10]
Condition
Fine condition. A rare opportunity to acquire a British Bronze Age Hoard with excessively rare decorated examples.