Trowel Collection

Building and masonry tools
Various building and masonry tools, including a saw, a mallet, chisels, hatchets, a trowel and a hammer

Queen Elizabeth visits Lloyds, 1952
Queen Elizabeth II visits Lloyds to lay the foundations tone of their new building in Lime Street. This picture shows her Majesty taking a trowel full of mortar ready to lay the stone

A hobby, c1930, (1945). Winston Churchill building a wall at his home, Chartwell. From Winston Churchill: His Life in Pictures, by Ben Tucker. [Sagall Press, Ltd. London, 1945]

Middlesex Pauper Lunatic Asylum, 1849
The Italianate exterior of the New Middlesex Pauper Lunatic Asylum at Colney Hatch, near Friern Barnet, Middlesex (North London). The foundation stone was laid in 1849 by Prince Albert

GEORGE WASHINGTON (1732-1799). First President of the United States. Washington as a Freemason in masonic attire, holding a scroll and trowel with portraits of the Marquis de Lafayette

Caricature of Baron Georges Eugene Haussmann (1809-91) as a Beaver, from La
XIR163430 Caricature of Baron Georges Eugene Haussmann (1809-91) as a Beaver, from La Menagerie Imperiale, c.1870-71 (colour litho) by French School, (19th century); Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris

Tools of an Architect
A plan for a neo-classical building is rested against the tools of the surveyors architects and builders who will construct this edifice

Masonic Symbolism, 1850
3478438 Masonic Symbolism, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration depicting Masonic Symbolism: Sun and Moon (God's power, eternity, omnipresence and benevolence)

Mason Smoking with Companions in a Tavern, c.1675. Creator: David Teniers II
Mason Smoking with Companions in a Tavern, c.1675

Il faut me trouver la dedans trois pièces et une cuisine!, 19th century. Creator: Honore Daumier
Il faut me trouver la dedans trois pieces et une cuisine!, 19th century. Tenants and landlords. Landlord to builder: I need you to fit three rooms and a kitchen in here!

New York City, Brooklyn, Williamsburg, Havemeyer Park

Plate 505. Bricklaying, 1872-85 (collotype on paper)
3950353 Plate 505. Bricklaying, 1872-85 (collotype on paper) by Muybridge, Eadweard (1830-1904); 22.5x34.8 cm; Addison Gallery of American Art, Phillips Academy, Andover, MA

Under construction, Hill Street Centre, Middlesbrough, 30th May 1980

The Duke of Edinburgh stopped to have a word with W. Simpson, one of the students in the brick laying class at Llandaff Technical College

The Rev Gordon Fisher lays the foundation, watched by the Rt Rev Bates and church wardens Ron Allen and Christine Pointer

Julian Clary spends the day on a building site in Londons Docklands to earn 10, 000 wages for charity. The money was donated by a development company to the ITV telethon 90. 27th March 1990

Motherless, c1883, (c1902). Creator: Unknown
Motherless, c1883, (c1902). After a painting in the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool. Victorian graveyard scene: a recently widowed father tends his dead wifes grave while tenderly holding their child

Garden tools silhouetted in potting shed window. September, UK

Mr Brick the Builder

Spade, 1938. Creator: Herman O. Stroh
Spade, 1938

Plate 381. Mason, Laying a Brick, 1872-85 (collotype on paper)
3950351 Plate 381. Mason, Laying a Brick, 1872-85 (collotype on paper) by Muybridge, Eadweard (1830-1904); 20x37.8 cm; Addison Gallery of American Art, Phillips Academy, Andover, MA

"Any Bones Here?"(colour litho)
6001153 " Any Bones Here?" (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: " Any Bones Here)

The trowel (chromolitho)
977722 The trowel (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The trowel. French educational card, late 19th/early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

The Crown Princess of Prussia laying the First Stone of Windsor New Church (engraving)
1102909 The Crown Princess of Prussia laying the First Stone of Windsor New Church (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Needlemaker (engraving)
2801989 Needlemaker (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Needlemaker. Illustration for An Illustrated Vocabulary For The Use Of The Deaf And Dumb (SPCK)

Trowel used by the Prince of Wales in the Completion of Victoria Bridge (engraving)
1612372 Trowel used by the Prince of Wales in the Completion of Victoria Bridge (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

Trowel and Mallet used by the Queen at Birmingham (engraving)
1594783 Trowel and Mallet used by the Queen at Birmingham (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Trowel and Mallet used by the Queen at Birmingham)

Trowel presented to the Duke of Edinburgh at Liverpool (engraving)
1589295 Trowel presented to the Duke of Edinburgh at Liverpool (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Trowel presented to the Duke of Edinburgh at Liverpool)

The construction of the tower of Babel (mosaic) (b / w photo)
ALI345932 The construction of the tower of Babel (mosaic) (b/w photo) by Sicilian School, (12th Century); Palatine Chapel, Palermo, Sicily

The Stonemason, c. 1735 (coloured engraving)
CHT173517 The Stonemason, c.1735 (coloured engraving) by Engelbrecht, Martin (1684-1756); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris, France; eArchives Charmet; German, out of copyright

The Free Masons, with signs for the various lodges, from
STC88452 The Free Masons, with signs for the various lodges, from The Ceremonies of Religion and Custom, c.1733 (engraving) by French School

Stages and methods of floor laying, from Della Architettura
STC255917 Stages and methods of floor laying, from Della Architettura, published 1590 (engraving) by Rusconi, Giovanni Antonio (c.1520-87); Private Collection; (add.info)

Builders Trowel and Flowers, Christmas Card (chromolitho)
731196 Builders Trowel and Flowers, Christmas Card (chromolitho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Builders Trowel and Flowers)

Metal casting equipment: open sand casting 1, trowel 2, ramming tool 4, lifting screw 5, sand casting between flasks 6, cog wheel casting 7-10, and moulds for loam casting 11-13

Gardener (engraving)
2801973 Gardener (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Gardener. Illustration for An Illustrated Vocabulary For The Use Of The Deaf And Dumb (SPCK)

Sugar Refiner (engraving)
2802004 Sugar Refiner (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sugar Refiner. Illustration for An Illustrated Vocabulary For The Use Of The Deaf And Dumb (SPCK)

The Queen at Derby (engraving)
1603178 The Queen at Derby (engraving) by Prior, Melton (1845-1910) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Queen at Derby. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 30 May 1891)

The Centenary of Savings Banks (litho)
1599064 The Centenary of Savings Banks (litho) by Holland Tringham, Joseph (1861-1908); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Centenary of Savings Banks)

Poster, We co-operate to speed up housing
Ministry of Supply poster, We co-operate to speed up housing, National Housing Drive fitments. Designed by Raymond Davids. circa 1945

George Cole, furnishing and general ironmonger, trade card (engraving)
731538 George Cole, furnishing and general ironmonger, trade card (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: George Cole, furnishing and general ironmonger)

Garden tools, from The Dutch Gardener by Johann van der Groen
STC170865 Garden tools, from The Dutch Gardener by Johann van der Groen, published 1699 (engraving) by Dutch School, (17th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

F. 235v King Louis VI (1080-1137) Watching the Construction of a Church
XTR177873 F.235v King Louis VI (1080-1137) Watching the Construction of a Church, from the Grandes Chroniques de France 1375-79 (vellum) by French School, (14th century); Bibliotheque Municipale

The Royal Visit to the West of England (b / w photo)
1629469 The Royal Visit to the West of England (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Royal Visit to the West of England)

The Tower of Babel, 1468-84 (detail) (fresco) (see also 736756) (b / w photo)
736755 The Tower of Babel, 1468-84 (detail) (fresco) (see also 736756) (b/w photo) by Gozzoli, Benozzo di Lese di Sandro (1420-97); Camposanto, Pisa, Italy; (add.info.: Tour de Babel; ); Alinari

Brass-Founder (engraving)
2801947 Brass-Founder (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Brass-Founder. Illustration for An Illustrated Vocabulary For The Use Of The Deaf And Dumb (SPCK)

The first mason (chromolitho)
973957 The first mason (chromolitho) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The first mason. Educational card, late 19th or early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Caricature of Baron Georges Eugene Haussmann (1809-91) as a builders mate, c
CHT163417 Caricature of Baron Georges Eugene Haussmann (1809-91) as a builders mate, c.1870 (litho) by French School, (19th century); Musee de la Ville de Paris, Musee Carnavalet, Paris

Trowel used by the Queen in Laying the First Stone of the Hall of Arts and Sciences (engraving)
1611124 Trowel used by the Queen in Laying the First Stone of the Hall of Arts and Sciences (engraving) by English School

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"Trowel: A Versatile Tool for Building and Masonry" The humble trowel, a staple in the world of building and masonry tools, has witnessed countless historic moments throughout its existence. From Queen Elizabeth's visit to Lloyds in 1952 to George Washington donning his Freemason attire with a scroll and trowel adorned with portraits of influential figures, this unassuming tool holds a significant place in history. In the early 1930s and 1945, it even found itself as part of hobbies pursued by individuals seeking solace or creative expression. Meanwhile, back in 1849 at the Middlesex Pauper Lunatic Asylum, the trowel played an essential role in constructing structures that provided care for those suffering from mental illness. Even caricatures couldn't resist capturing the essence of this versatile tool. Baron Georges Eugene Haussmann was humorously depicted as a beaver wielding a trowel during his transformative work on Parisian streets. Architects also relied heavily on their trusty trowels while designing magnificent structures that still stand today. But let's not forget Mr Brick the Builder who skillfully wielded his trowel to create beautiful brickwork masterpieces. Plate 505 showcases bricklaying techniques from years gone by, reminding us of the craftsmanship involved. Yet amidst all these historical references lies another side to the story - one filled with emotion. The artwork "Motherless, " created around c1883 but popularized later in c1902 by an unknown artist, evokes feelings of loss and longing through its depiction of an abandoned trowel left behind. Beyond construction sites and historical events, we find glimpses into everyday life where garden tools are silhouetted against potting shed windows or buildings proudly display signs proclaiming "Under Construction. " These images remind us that even mundane tasks can hold beauty when viewed through different lenses.