Large Stone Age Grand Pressigny 'Livre de Beurre'

Neolithic, 3rd millennium BC. A larger than usual and well-formed 'livre de beurre' core in the familiar yellow-brown flint; a small area of original cortex visible to one end. See Martin, Dr. H., Etude sur les Livres de Beurre du Grand Pressigny, in Société Préhistorique de France, 1906, pp.45-55, and plate. 2.37 kg, 29cm (11 1/2"). Property of a Kent collector since before 2000; from Grand Pressigny, Indre et Loire departement, France. These distinctive pieces are called 'pounds of butter' from the often buttery-yellow fabric and their shape resemblance to traditional butter slabs in France; the technique involved the careful forming of a shaped core from the large and naturally occurring flint cobbles, from which were struck one or more long Levallois blades which, in turn, were widely traded and have been found across Europe.
Condition Report: Fine condition.