1984.0068
L. 18.2 L. stone below mount 14.15 W. stone top 2.7 bottom 2.5 T. stone top 1.0 bottom, above bevel 0.85 L. mount 1.1 W. max at top 2.9 T. max at top 1.2 L. ball and ring 2.4 D. ball 0.8
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Touchstone with silver mount by Thomas Bourke, Limerick, c. 1785. Rod of basaltic stone, rectangular in cross section, tapering slightly along its length, dark brown on one face, pale brown / cream on the other. Silver mount on the wider end, with an expanded ridge and groove top, with a spherical knob on a waisted stem on top, the knob holding a swivel ring, the knob capable of turning in the mount. Mount marked on the dark face: TB in rectangle, and Sterling in rectangle. The dark face of the stone has streaks of gold longtitudinally where it has been used. The edges of the stone, particularly at the tip on both sides, and on the dark side, are rounded or bevelled from use.