Object Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
Stoneworking Air Hammer, c. 1920 - 1925 |
Object Name |
Hammer, Stone |
Description |
Stoneworking Small Air Hammer, c. 1920-1925. Cylindrical metal tool used to direct air against specialized tools for shaping the surface of granite. This particular air hammer would have been used for finishing work, rather than larger shaping. The cylinder has two large grooves close to the bottom and crosshatch texturing along parts of the surface. At the top is a smaller receiving bolt that is threaded on the inside where it would be attached to the air supply, and below the bolt is a hexagonal nut to ensure a tight fit. The bottom of the tool tapers slightly to a narrow opening, into which the stoneworking tool head would be fitted. Inside the opening about 3" back is a small cylindrical piece for driving the tool head. Towards the top is a small hole, perhaps to relieve pressure or heat. Opposite the hole on the top of the cylinder is etching: "THE BARREL AUTOMATIC TOOL / MADE BY / TROW & HOLDEN / BARREL VT U.S.A. / SIZE UL No. L8579". |
Date |
c. 1920- 1925 |
Creator |
V. Fontana & Company |
Role |
Manufacturer |
Medium |
/Metal |
Catalog Number |
2019.062.007 |
Dimensions |
H-8.5 W-2 D-2 inches |
Collection |
3D - Masonry & Stoneworking Tools & Equipment |
Inscription Text |
Toward the top of the cylinder is etching: "THE BARREL AUTOMATIC TOOL / MADE BY / TROW & HOLDEN / BARREL VT U.S.A. / SIZE UL No. L8579". |
Provenance |
Valerio Fontana's original stone working air tools, c. 1900-1921. He used these when he opened V. Fontana & Company monuments in 1921. |
Notes |
"Stonemasonry or stonecraft is the creation of buildings, structures, and sculpture using stone as the primary material. It is one of the oldest activities and professions in human history. Many of the long-lasting, ancient shelters, temples, monuments, artifacts, fortifications, roads, bridges, and entire cities were built of stone. Famous works of stonemasonry include the EgyptianPyramids, the Taj Mahal, Cusco's Incan Wall, Easter Island's statues, Angkor Wat, Borobudur, Tihuanaco, Tenochtitlan, Persepolis, the Parthenon, Stonehenge, the Great Wall of China, Chartres Cathedral, and Pumapunku." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonemasonry "An air hammer, also known as an air chisel, is a pneumatic hand tool used to carve in stone, and to break or cut metal objects apart. It is designed to accept different tools depending on the required function." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_hammer_(fabrication) |
Search Terms |
V. Fontana & Company Fontana, Valerio Tools Masonry Stone carving Stone cutting |
Subjects |
Tool & die industry Stone carving Stone cutting Masonry |
People |
Fontana, Valerio V. Fontana & Company |
Credit line |
Courtesy of Mark Fontana |