Northern Europe, Ireland, the Atlantic Bronze Age to Iron Age transition period, ca. 1300 to 700 BCE. A beautiful bronze axe head of a heavy composition with a flared vertical blade, a thick neck, twin lateral flanges with folded sides, a miniscule top attachment loop, and a thin stop bar. The axe head is made from a deep brown bronze that, over time, has developed a stunning turquoise-hued patina throughout the exterior surfaces. Axe heads under the palstave classification have a haft attachment for a forked (rather than single) wooden handle. While most palstave axes have open-faced lateral flanges, this example is rather uncommon because of the folded top and bottom peripheries; this allows for a more optimal fit for the forked handle. Size: 6" H (15.2 cm); 7.75" H (19.7 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Orange County, California, USA collection

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#128537

Age-commensurate surface wear and pitting, minor losses along lateral flanges and stop bar, with visible mineral deposits and lovely blue-green patina. The letters "Fo. R.F.M." are written in black on top of the axe head near the loop.