Co Offaly~King's County: Archaeological Objects at The British Museum
The British Museum
holds 156 items identified as coming from Co Co Offaly~King's County. The
majority of these (79) are assigned to the Bronze Age, followed by the Early
Medieval period (32). The most common object type represented are pins (17),
followed by spear-heads (14). The most common material types are Metal (140)
and Stone (11).
 |
| The Dowris Hoard |
Neolithic/Bronze Age: Stone items
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
whetstone
18531121.100
Stone whetstone
fragment.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
whetstone
18531121.200
Stone whetstone
fragment.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
whetstone
18540714.170
Stone whetstone
fragment.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
whetstone
18540714.180
Stone whetstone
fragment.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
whetstone
18540714.190
Stone whetstone.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
whetstone
18540714.200
Stone whetstone
fragment.
Lusmagh
whetstone
18830218.270
Stone whetstone.
Clonmacnoise
axe
18540714.930
Polished stone axe with
slightly damaged rounded butt; face damaged/indented.
Neolithic (?)/Bronze Age (?)/Iron Age (?): Amber items
Cogham
bead
18880719.123
Amber faceted bead.
Cogham
bead
18540714.298
Amber globular beads,
six.
Bronze Age: Metal items
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
crotal
18540714.140
Copper alloy crotal,
incomplete.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
crotal
18540714.150
Copper alloy crotal,
incomplete.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
ingot
18540714.160
Copper alloy ingot
fragment.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
razor
18540714.320
Copper alloy tanged
razor.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
razor
18540714.330
Copper alloy tanged
razor.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
handle
18540714.179
Copper alloy handle.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
fitting
18540714.180
Copper alloy fitting.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
fitting
18540714.181
Copper alloy fitting.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
fitting
18540714.182
Copper alloy fitting.
In three pieces.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
spear-head
18540714.217
Copper alloy socketed
spear-head, pegged. In three pieces.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
spear-head
18540714.219
Copper alloy socketed
spear-head, pegged.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
spear-head
18540714.220
Copper alloy socketed
spear-head, pegged.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
spear-head
18540714.221
Copper alloy socketed
spear-head, pegged.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
spear-head
18540714.222
Copper alloy socketed
spear-head, pegged.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
spear-head
18540714.229
Copper alloy socketed
spear-head, pegged. With perforated blade.
 |
| L: 18540714.283.Centre: 18540714.229. TR: 18540714.267. BR: spear head |
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
gouge
18540714.278
Copper alloy socketed
gouge.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
spear-head
18540714.223
Copper alloy socketed
spear-head, pegged.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
spear-head
18540714.230
Copper alloy socketed
spear-head, pegged.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
socketed axe
18540714.274
Copper alloy socketed
axe; cast. Body octagonal. Seven ridges surround the neck. Lower part of axe
missing. One haft rib extends to the fracture.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
axe
18540714.275
Copper alloy axe; cast,
blade only.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
knife
18540714.288
Copper alloy knife?
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
knife
18540714.289
Copper alloy knife.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
knife
18540714.290
Copper alloy knife.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
knife
18540714.291
Copper alloy socketed
knife fragment.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
fitting
18540714.315
Copper alloy fittings.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
fitting
18830218.300
Copper alloy fitting.
Hollow tube. Perhaps part of a horn.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
crotal
18830218.500
Copper alloy crotal.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
ingot
18830218.600
Copper alloy ingot
fragment.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
spear-head
18830218.700
Copper alloy socketed
spear-head, pegged. In three pieces.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
spear-head
18830218.800
Copper alloy socketed
spear-head, pegged.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
spear-head
18830218.900
Copper alloy socketed
spear-head, pegged.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
cheek-piece
18830218.150
Bronze cheek-piece
terminal: terminal for a composite slotted cheek-piece.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
razor
18830218.140
Copper alloy tanged
razor.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
chape
18830218.130
Copper alloy scabbard
chape. There is a slight lip at the mouth. Towards the rounded base the walls
thicken. In each face is a hole for attachment and there is also a slight hole
in the bottom but this may have been caused by the tip of the sword.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
tool/implement
18830218.120
Copper alloy
tool/implement.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
knife
18830218.110
Copper alloy knife.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
knife
18830218.100
Copper alloy socketed
knife, in two pieces.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
knife
18830218.170
Copper alloy knife
blade.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
gouge
18830218.180
Copper alloy socketed
gouge.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
musical horn
18540714.177
Copper alloy musical
horn.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
musical horn
18830218.200
Copper alloy musical
horn.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
musical horn
18540714.176
Copper alloy musical
horn, damaged.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
musical horn
18540714.175
Copper alloy musical
horn, damaged. In two pieces.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
musical horn
18540714.174
Copper alloy musical
horn, damaged.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
crotal
18540714.120
Bronze crotal: hollow
cast spherical pendant, cast ring for suspension. Damage to one side.
 |
| Selection of crotals from the Dowris Hoard |
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
crotal
18540714.110
Bronze crotal: hollow
cast spherical pendant, cast ring for suspension. Damage to base.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
crotal
18540714.100
Bronze crotal: hollow
cast spherical pendant, cast ring for suspension.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
musical horn
18540714.178
Copper alloy musical
horn.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
socketed axe
18540714.267
Copper alloy socketed
axe; cast.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
socketed axe
18540714.268
Copper alloy socketed
axe with blade missing. Mouth is oval with a bevelled, projecting rim. Casting
seams were poorly trimmed. Haft rib extends about half-way to rim
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
socketed axe
18540714.269
Copper alloy socketed
axe; cast. Blade missing. Oval mouth with bevelled rim. Decoration at the base
of the neck consists of two faint ridges. A haft rib is present.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
socketed axe
18540714.270
Copper alloy socketed
axe; cast. Lower part is missing. Mouth is oval, cracked and pushed in at one
point. Rim is bevelled. Loop is set at base of collar. Casting flashing was
hammered flat. Haft rib occurs.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
socketed axe
18540714.271
Copper alloy socketed
axe; cast. Upper part of axe only. Round mouth with bevelled rim. Collar is
deep and top of loop is set on it. Both collar and rim are uneven. Haft rib
extends to rim.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
socketed axe
18540714.272
Copper alloy socketed
axe; cast, blade missing. Oval mouth with bevelled rim. Ridge is broad, set at
top of loop. Haft rib extends to rim.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
socketed axe
18540714.273
Copper alloy socketed
axe; cast. Lower part of axe is missing. Oval mouth with bevelled rim. Loop is
set at base of collar. Casting seams hammered flat. Haft rib occurs.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
sword
18540714.282
Copper alloy sword, in
two pieces. Only a stump of the tang survives. This has the remains of a
rivet-hole in the break and was flanged. There are two rivet-holes in the butt.
Ricasso present. The blade has a rounded central swelling with a channel on
each side and a ridge along the edges. The tip is missing.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
sword
18540714.283
Copper alloy sword. The
broken blade and the tang have been repaired in modern times with lead solder.
The tang is flanged and has one rivet-hole and two unperforated depressions.
There are two rivet-holes in the butt. Ricasso present. The surface of the
blade is smooth. The blade is oval in cross-section and has a low ridge
parallel to the edges which are drawn out from that point.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
sword
18540714.284
Copper alloy sword, in
two pieces. The tang is missing. There are two rivet-holes in the butt. Ricasso
present. The blade is a pointed oval in cross-section and has a slight ridge
parallel to the edges which are blunt.
Offaly
dagger
18630122.109
Copper alloy dagger.
Offaly
axe
18830218.350
Copper alloy socketed
miniature axe with oval mouth and thin rounded rim. Cutting edge expanded and
now blunt. Patina is flaking at the blade. Casting seam prominent on loop side.
Offaly
socketed axe
18830218.330
Copper alloy socketed
axe; cast, decorated. Crescentic-shaped blade and body of oval cross-section
and outward bevelled rim. Horizontal row of bosses near the base of the loop
and a ridge at the top of the loop.
Offaly
pin
18540714.168
Copper alloy bowl
headed pin.
Lusmagh
chisel
18830218.200
Copper alloy chisel.
Lusmagh
tool/implement
18830218.190
Copper alloy tool or
implement.
Lusmagh
chisel
18830218.240
Copper alloy tanged
chisel.
Lusmagh
chisel
18830218.250
Copper alloy tanged
chisel.
Lusmagh
chisel
18830218.260
Copper alloy tanged
chisel.
Edenderry
axe
18830218.280
Copper alloy flanged
axe; cast.
Edenderry
axe
18830218.300
Copper alloy winged
axe; cast, with loop.
Tullamore
spear-head
18830218.360
Copper alloy socketed
spearhead, side-looped.
Edenderry
spear-head
18830218.370
Copper alloy socketed
spearhead, side-looped. Damaged.
Birr
ring
18540714.124
Copper alloy ring.
Leap
ring
18540714.125
Copper alloy ring.
Leap
ring
18540714.126
Copper alloy ring.
Birr
ring
18540714.128
Copper alloy ring.
Tullamore
penannular bracelet
19130715.200
Copper alloy penannular
bracelet.
Frankford
spear-head
WG.1617
Copper alloy socketed
spearhead, side-looped.
Tullamore
socketed axe
WG.1568
Copper alloy socketed
axe; cast. Uneven oval mouth with bevelled rim. Waisted body with expanded
cutting edge and re-curved points.
Ballycumber
gouge
WG.1591
Copper alloy socketed
gouge.
Early
Bronze Age: Metal items
Edenderry
flat axe
18750401.100
Copper-alloy flat axe;
with a straight, angular butt. Sides splay gently from butt to form a rounded
cutting-edge. The object is covered with brown and green patina.
Derrinsalagh
halberd
18540714.215
Copper alloy halberd
with four rivet hole, two rivets in situ.
Derrinsalagh
flat axe
18540714.183
Copper alloy flat axe;
with a straight, angular butt. Sides are almost parallel in the upper half,
then gradually splay to form a wide, almost semi-circular cutting-edge, which
is notched slightly.
Derrinsalagh
halberd
18540714.216
Copper alloy halberd,
asymmetrical blade with rounded hafting plate and straight, rounded midrib.
Three rivet holes.
Birr (near)
dagger
18540714.240
Copper alloy dagger, in
two pieces; undecorated.
Edenderry
axe
18830218.290
Copper alloy flanged
axe with thin, rounded butt; decorated.
Croghan
flat axe
WG.1530
Copper alloy flat axe
with thin, rounded butt. Sides splay widely, creating a large, straight,
shallow cutting-edge.
Edenderry
axe
WG.1552
Copper alloy flanged
axe with thin, rounded butt.
Late
Bronze Age: Metal items
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
crotal
18830218.400
Bronze crotal:
hollow-cast spherical pendant enclosing a small metal lump to serve as a
rattle; initially cast with side perforations to allow extraction of clay core
and insertion of rattle; cast ring for suspension.
950BC-750BC
 |
| Crotals: 18540714.13, 18540714.900, & 18830218.4 |
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
crotal
18540714.900
Bronze crotal: hollow
cast spherical pendant enclosing a small metal lump to serve as a rattle;
initially cast with side perforations to allow extraction of clay core and
insertion of rattle; cast ring for suspension.
950BC-750BC
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
crotal
18540714.130
Bronze crotal:
hollow-cast spherical pendant enclosing a small metal lump to serve as a
rattle; initially cast with side perforations to allow extraction of clay core
and insertion of rattle; cast ring for suspension.
950BC-750BC
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
vessel
18540714.314
Copper alloy vessel.
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
bucket
18540714.313
Sheet-bronze bucket:
vessel created by riveting together three carefully shaped sheets of bronze;
the neck is decorated with three grooves and the rim strengthened by tightly
turning round a wire; the base is reinforced by seven angle plates, two being
later replacements; numerous patches and strips are riveted onto the body as
repairs.
950BC-750BC
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
handle; cauldron
18540714.313.a
Copper alloy handle
attachment fragment. The ring handle is missing. The fragment has low side
flanges distinctive of this type. It has three rounded ribs with thin wear
facets on the top and the undersides of the flanges. Lateral extensions grip
the rim on both the outside and inside. Inner part of the rim is broken away.
Parts of the two upper sheets remain on the handle attachment either side of a
vertical seam. Traces of wire reinforcement in the inner edge. two rivets
survive. The surface has a black/gold patina with pitting.
1000BC - 800BC (circa)
Tullamore (near)
ring
WG.24
Gold penannular plain
ring. The circular solid body is ovoid in cross-section and it is slightly
thinner at the ends rather than in the middle.
1150BC-750BC (circa)
Dowris (?)
vessel
18540714.357
Copper alloy vessel rim
fragment of the rim and shoulder of a Late Bronze Age sheet bronze vessel,
possibly a cauldron or a bucket. Embossed decoration in irregular rows;
possible trace of a rivet hole.
Early Iron Age; Late Bronze Age: Metal item
Dowris (Dowris Hoard)
handle; cauldron
18540714.313.b
A copper alloy handle
attachment fragment. This is a small cast of handle attachment like the other
fragment in the Dowris hoard (1854,0714.131a). A tiny sheet fragment is still
adhering. The surface has a black/gold patina.
900BC - 700BC (circa)
Early Medieval: Metal items
Dowris (?)
latchet
18540714.970
Copper alloy latchet.
Asymmetrical shallow copper alloy casting ornamented on one side only
6thC
Killoughy; Tullamore
(near)
penannular brooch
18540714.147
Copper alloy penannular
brooch with expanded animal head terminals having triangular settings with
lozenge motifs, once enamelled.
5thC-6thC
Ballinastora Castle;
Tullamore (near)
ringed pin; ring
brooch; pseudo-penannular brooch
18540714.139
Copper alloy pin, cast,
with expanded pseudo-penannular ring, featuring panels of interlace and
interlaced animals. There are four empty settings around the edge.
8thC-9thC
Daingean (near);
Croghan (near); Philipstown (near)
ringed pin
18540714.151
Leaded bronze spiral-ringed
pin with baluster head; upper part of shank of square section, lower of oval
section.
5thC-9thC
Clonmacnoise
pin
18540714.144
Leaded gun metal pin of
circular section with rounded head having deep circular setting.
5thC-11thC
Clonmacnoise
pin
18540714.143
Leaded gun metal pin of
oval section with domed head.
5thC-11thC
Kilcamin (?)
bell
18540714.400
Iron, fragment of bell
of St Camin of Kilcamin (?), with traces of copper alloy and wood.
7thC-9thC
Clonmacnoise
pin
18540714.141
Leaded gun metal
mushroom-headed pin with grooved top and rib at neck; four zigzags on stem,
lower part of which is of square section.
5thC-10thC
Clonmacnoise
pin
18540714.142
Brass crutch-headed pin
of circular section.
10thC-11thC
Disert Cuimin (?)
bell
18540714.500
Iron bell of St Cuimin
of Kilcommon; rectangular section, tapered; imperfect; remains of bronze
coating on one side and inside.
7thC-9thC
Tullamore
pin
18540714.167
Leaded bronze pin with
conical brambled head; shank of squarish section with zigzag and cross-hatched
square moulding; end bent.
5thC-11thC
Clonony More
tweezers
18540714.280
Copper alloy tweezers
with plain, slightly expanded arms.
5thC-11thC
Clonmacnoise
pin
19130710.600
Brass pin; pear-shaped
head and blue glass cabochon setting at front, ridged border at back and ribbed
side; interlace pattern on upper stem.
8thC-9thC
Le Porte
pin
18540714.162
Leaded gun metal pin
with globular head, a square incised on top; shank ribbed at top on four sides
and hipped.
5thC-11thC
Le Porte
ringed pin
18540714.152
Leaded bronze
spiral-ringed pin with baluster head, four dots on each face; upper shank of square
section with dot decoration, lower of circular section.
5thC-9thC
Birr, Graveyard Street
pin
18540714.150
Gun metal pin with
rounded head and oval-sectioned shank with moulding a third of way down; pitted
and worn surface.
5thC-11thC
Le Porte
pin
18540714.156
Leaded gun metal
mushroom-headed pin with grooved head and shank of oval section.
5thC-10thC
Le Porte
ringed pin (?)
18540714.160
Leaded bronze pin from
ringed pin ?, with hole for ring in head; bent, corroded and point missing.
9thC-12thC
Le Porte
pin
18540714.158
Leaded gun metal pin
with no head; incised zigzag decoration; lower part of shank of square section.
5thC-11thC
Le Porte
pin
18540714.154
Brass pin with
cylindrical head decorated with three bands of incised herring-bone; plain top.
5thC-11thC
Le Porte
ringed pin
18540714.159
Copper alloy
crutch-headed ringed pin of circular section, a hollow rectangle on top of
ring.
10thC-12thC
Le Porte
ringed pin; ring
brooch; pseudo-penannular brooch; penannular brooch
18540714.155
Copper alloy pin with
silvered ring, the lower part of which is heart-shaped with two holes; oval
section shank; incised crosses.
9thC-10thC
Le Porte
ringed pin
18540714.161
Leaded gun metal ringed
pin with cubic head and ring with four triangular fields and ring-and-dot
decoration.
9thC-12thC
Le Porte
pin
18540714.153
Leaded gun metal pin
with polyhedral head, each side concave.
5thC-11thC
Le Porte
pin
18540714.157
Leaded bronze pin with
conical ribbed head and circular moulding at neck; shank of circular section.
5thC-11thC
Le Porte
pin
18540714.165
Leaded bronze pin with
flattened round head, a square incised on top.
5thC-11thC
Le Porte
ringed pin
18540714.163
Leaded bronze pin from
a ringed pin with faceted rectangular head pierced for ring and four rows of
dots below head.
9thC-12thC
Le Porte
pin
18540714.164
Leaded gun metal pin
with grooved, mushroom-shaped head; upper part of shank of circular section,
lower of square section.
5thC-10thC
Le Porte
pin
18540714.166
Leaded gun metal pin
with mushroom-shaped head and part of shank of circular section, rest missing.
5thC-11thC
Early Medieval: Stone items
Clonony More
spindle-whorl
18540714.350
Stone spindle-whorl
with bevelled edge.
5thC-11thC
Le Porte (?)
spindle-whorl
18540714.410
Black slate? fragment
of spindle-whorl with perforation.
5thC-11thC
Le Porte (?)
spindle-whorl
18540714.400
Stone spindle-whorl.
5thC-11thC
Medieval: Leather item
Broughal, bog
shoe
18540714.344
Shoe; leather; worn
heel; made of one piece, sewn up by thong; pointed toe; slits along side.
14thC (?)
Medieval: Metal items
Edenderry (near)
finger-ring
18540714.301
Finger-ring; silver;
flat hoop with conventional nielloed ornament in four panels separated by
vertical bands of herring-bone design.
16thC
Le Porte Castle
spoon
18540714.333
Spoon; brass; with
pear-shaped bowl and faceted handle, end broken; on the concave side of the
bowl a maker's mark.
16thC
Le Porte Castle
spoon
18540714.335
Spoon; brass; handle
with seal baluster top of spoon; bowl missing.
16thC
Unknown: Metal items
Corbeg
bell
18540714.800
Bell; bronze; small;
circular.
Oakly Park
harp
18540714.173
Harp-peg; bronze;
rectangular head.
Birr
key
18540714.307
Bronze key; round bow;
flat stem with faint criss-cross designs; rectangular bit with groove; attached
to card.
Killyon, convent
key
18540714.349
Iron key; kidney-shaped
bow; stem tapering towards bow; rectangular bit; label attached.
Killyon, convent
key
18540714.350
Iron key; kidney-shaped
bow, projection within; rectangular bit with two slots in one side; two
fragments, much corroded.
Le Porte
harp
18540714.170
Harp-peg; bronze;
rectangular head.
Le Porte
harp
18540714.171
Harp-peg; bronze;
pierced end only.
Le Porte
harp
18540714.169
Harp-peg; bronze;
rectangular head.
Le Porte
harp
18540714.172
Harp-peg; bronze;
rectangular head.
Le Porte
key
18540714.351
Iron key; oval bow;
damaged bit; corroded and broken.
Le Porte
key
18540714.352
Iron key; oval bow;
bent, corroded hollow stem; flat bit with two slots cut in one edge.
Le Porte
key
18540714.353
Iron key; oval bow;
hollow stem; flat bit pierced in three places; corroded.
Unknown: Pottery item
Clonbrone; Birr (near)
crucible
OA.5207
Crucible fragment;
pinkish grey with greenish glaze; small label.
Unknown: Wooden item
Derrygowney Bog;
Philipstown (near)
sword
18540714.321
Wood 'sword'; rudely
cut; label on one side.
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