Ceremonial trowel

1909

Place madeNew York, New York, United States, North America

Silver

Overall: 10 in. × 3 1/4 in. × 2 1/4 in. (25.4 × 8.3 × 5.7 cm)

Gift of George B. McClellan

1922.109

This object was used by Mayor George B. McClellan in 1909 to lay the cornerstone of the Municipal Building, a classical skyscraper built at Chambers and Centre Streets.

DescriptionCast silver presentation trowel with a tapered, cylindrical handle, a curved stem and a diamond-shaped blade with a long pointed end; blade embossed with a laurel branch and an oak branch; handle engraved, "CORNER STONE / MUNICIPAL BUILDING / NEW YORK / GEORGE B. McCLELLAN / MAYOR / DECEMBER 27. / 1909" in roman letters; makers' marks stamped on the underside of the blade.

MarkingsEngraved on the blade: "CORNER STONE / MUNICIPAL BUILDING / NEW YORK / GEORGE B. McCLELLAN/ MAYOR / DECEMBER 27. / 1909" in roman letters; stamped on the underside of the blade: "TIFFANY & CO / 4172 MAKERS 5636 / STERLING SILVER / 925-1000 / M"

ClassificationsSILVER