Casgliadau Arlein

Socketed axe with a thin outsplayed mouth moulding, from which a high placed untrimmed loop extends. Three slightly divergent longitudinal ribs extend from mouth moulding down blade faces. Internal sub-rectangular mouth shape, external shape difficult to ascertain. However, one face and mouth side is missing from this axe, the break being some 53.3mm above the blade edge and 29.0mm above the socket base. No runner scars visible on remaining mouth top section. Base of socket uneven and poorly cast. Axe has rectangular shape in cross section, with angled face edges. Sides of the axe are slightly concave and slightly divergent in profile, with blunted (hammered ) casting marks visible. Projecting untrimmed flash on top of loop, untrimmed flash within loop. Casting imperfections visible on broken face in form of irregular shaped hole (7 by 9mm) and irregular shaped thinning (7 by 5mm) in axe wall. Further casting imperfections on both axe sides (wall thinning and pitting). Cutting edge has prominent nick made in antiquity (3mm long, 1mm deep). Blade edge has moderate convex curve. Green patina with light green corrosion patches on lower sides.