The Anvil has entered the building

Ed · 14th November 2008, 02:02 AM

From that ebay auction that I won from a few weeks ago.

It is interesting to examine something so mundane as an anvil. Though we should bear in mind that it was the tool of a highly respected profession.

This one is clearly "of the period" whatever that period happens to be ... more on that later.

It is clear where the billet was folded over to create the width of the object.

Also note the color. I have noted a few traces of green but to a much less extent than the red. Michael ... Nuremberg? At some point the entire thing was painted.

The design is that tree of life thingie as Michael noted earlier. One thing that close examination shows is that the "globes" on the tree actuelly had spikes, now thoroughly worn.

From these two detail pictures you can see that this anvil was, indeed, as Michael conjectured, used as what we now call a "Hardy Tool". That is an specialized addition to a larger anvil that fits into those funny holes that you see on them. The giveaway is the turned edge that mounting in wood would not give ... though I wouldn't rule such a mounting out.

Thus:

So ... from when? 15-16th c. out not be crazy but such a thing could have been made at virtually any time. It could have been painted anytime and the decoration ... well I would bet that that was stamped when the metal was hot. There is no evidence of the edge that gets formed with cold stamping.

So, where are we? German/Austrian, earlt renaissance? Maybe Nurenburg (could get the paint tested I suppose.)

Part of a blacksmith's panoply. If this is generally correct, it was doubtless used, if even occassionally, in the manufacture of arms and armor and thus has a place in my collection.

hows that for justification?

14th November 2008, 02:02 AM	#1
Ed Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 237	The Anvil has entered the building From that ebay auction that I won from a few weeks ago. It is interesting to examine something so mundane as an anvil. Though we should bear in mind that it was the tool of a highly respected profession. This one is clearly "of the period" whatever that period happens to be ... more on that later. It is clear where the billet was folded over to create the width of the object. Also note the color. I have noted a few traces of green but to a much less extent than the red. Michael ... Nuremberg? At some point the entire thing was painted. The design is that tree of life thingie as Michael noted earlier. One thing that close examination shows is that the "globes" on the tree actuelly had spikes, now thoroughly worn. From these two detail pictures you can see that this anvil was, indeed, as Michael conjectured, used as what we now call a "Hardy Tool". That is an specialized addition to a larger anvil that fits into those funny holes that you see on them. The giveaway is the turned edge that mounting in wood would not give ... though I wouldn't rule such a mounting out. Thus: So ... from when? 15-16th c. out not be crazy but such a thing could have been made at virtually any time. It could have been painted anytime and the decoration ... well I would bet that that was stamped when the metal was hot. There is no evidence of the edge that gets formed with cold stamping. So, where are we? German/Austrian, earlt renaissance? Maybe Nurenburg (could get the paint tested I suppose.) Part of a blacksmith's panoply. If this is generally correct, it was doubtless used, if even occassionally, in the manufacture of arms and armor and thus has a place in my collection. hows that for justification?