Anvil

Culture Italian

Date1400s–1500s

Mediumwrought iron

Dimensions18 × 26 × 19 cm (7 1/16 × 10 1/4 × 7 1/2 in.), 36 lb 10 oz (weight)

ClassificationsUtilitarian Objects

Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection

Terms

Object number2014.1031

DescriptionSingle horn at R end, stake hole at L end. The front has a decorative motif of 2 long rounded grooves with lobated tops, surrounded by stamped, asterisk-like stars. Stepped base possibly designed to assist in securing the anvil to its mounting. There are tapered quadrangular holes under the beak and stake extensions, probably for accommodating the securing apparatus; a tapered squared hole in the underside probably accommodated a post that also helped secure the anvil in place. Working surface is heavily worn. There appears originally to have been a slight overhang at both front and back of the working surface, but this has largely been bent downward through wear. The tip of the beak also appears to be worn from use. There is perhaps some loss at one side of the stake end. Cracking is visible on the front side at the juncture between the beak and central pedestal (perhaps there is a seam here?). There could be traces of a rectangular recessed area at the upper back side. One corner of the lowest tier on the stake end in back is broken off. The tiered base shows signs of seams where it joins the central pedestal.
Label TextArmorers required a large number of specialist tools, most particularly a variety of hammers, anvils, and stakes--iron rods with variously shaped ends, used in hammering out the complex contours of armor. This small anvil would serve for handling some of the finer details of the armor's shape, and has a hole in its surface to accommodate an upright stake.ProvenancePurchased by the Museum on September 13, 2003 from Galerie Fischer Luzern. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.

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