**Originally Listed At $750**

Western Europe, France, Grand Pressigny region, late Neolithic period, ca. 2800 to 2450 BCE. A massive stone chert (flint) core known as a "livre de beurre" (pound of butter), clearly worked by human hands - the surface knapped with large flaking patterns. Flint cores such as this were used to chip off smaller pieces to form blades and scraper tools. According to researchers, this core technique was used for a relatively short time near the end of the Neolithic era in France and Netherlands region. The butter name stems from the 19th century's use of large butter bricks / lumps that somewhat resembled the stone's shape and yellow color - the flaking similar to someone randomly slicing off butter pads. Grand Pressigny is known for the caramel-colored chalcolithic flint deposits that prehistoric cultures quarried and traded throughout the region. Size: 11" L x 3" W x 2.5" H (27.9 cm x 7.6 cm x 6.4 cm)

Provenance: private Manhattan, Illinois, USA collection, acquired before 2000; ex-J.L. Gasnier collection, Grand-Pressigny, France

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#184006

Old inventory number and find site written on the surface. Great condition. Expected weathering and minor abrasions to the surface, but otherwise intact with nice patina.