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Pitt Rivers Museum

1950.4.36

Cast bronze axe, made from a mould from the PRM founding collection for experimental archaeology in 1950.


1950.4.36

Digital asset copyright: Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

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Collection type
Object
Description
Cast bronze axe, made from a mould from the PRM founding collection for experimental archaeology in 1950.
Long description
Bronze cast made from mould [1884.119.206, .207]. The cast has not been finished and has rough casting edges. Two samples have been taken from the object, leaving V shaped holes in the object. One has been filled with a grey substance. [SM (Verve) 13/6/2016]
Geographical reference
Cultural groups
French
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1950
Date collected
By 1950
Acquisition information
Donated: 1950
Materials and processes
Material Bronze Metal, Material Copper Alloy Metal, Process Cast
Dimensions
Length: max 201 mm, Length x Width: max 41 x 45 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1950.4.36
Research and responses

Between 2005 - 2007 a survey of metalwork in the PRM was undertaken by Gali Beiner, a conservator in the Museum. As part of this study 77 objects were analysed using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) providing a qualitative non destructive analysis of the alloy composition. This object was one of those analysed, the results showed the presence of Cu, Sn, Zn (gunmetal). A copy of the analysis and report is held in conservation [GB 23/8/2007; MN 27/10/2009]

Associated publications
Balfour, Henry, Ancient double hooks of Bronze, Reliquary and Illustrated Archaeologist, 1 (1895:Jan.) pp.38-41. Published in Coghlan, H.H. 1951, 'Notes on Prehistoric Metallurgy of Copper and Bronze in the Old World', Occassional Paper on Technology 4 , Oxford University Press, Oxford. pp 59-60, Pl. IX. [El.B 06/11/2007, CMP 09/08/2010]

Search terms: Reproduction, Metallurgy, Cast