This silver trowel was used in 1889 to lay the final stone for the Sydney Town Hall by Mary Ann Harris (1872-1966), daughter of John Harris, the prominent Mayor of Sydney. Mary Ann was herself Mayoress of Sydney in 1888 and 1889, during two of the five terms in which her father was Mayor. The Harris family had large land holdings in the inner city suburb of Ultimo where the Powerhouse Museum is situated at Harris Street, named after John Harris.

As well as being a significant object relating to Sydney's key colonial building and associated with a noted Sydney family, the English trowel is a wonderful example of the English Aesthetic Movement style popular in Australia in the 1880s. It was made by Martin Hall & Company in London in 1887 but the inscriptions were added in Sydney by an unknown engraver.

This presentation trowel was made by Martin, Hall and Company, London, England, 1887.

This presentation trowel was used by Mary Ann Harris to place the final stone of the Centennial Hall of Sydney Town Hall, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1887.

Presentation trowel, sterling silver, gold, ivory, used by Mary Ann Harris to place the final stone of the Centennial Hall of Sydney Town Hall, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1889 made by Martin, Hall and Company, London, England, 1887

A triangular presentation trowel in sterling silver with turned [ivory] handle slightly waisted with a low-relief acanthus collar at the curved silver shank which terminates in a stylised palmette at the joining point with the blade. Blade inscribed in the central reserve starting at tip and progressing down the blade towards the handle: 'IN / COMMEMORATION / OF / placing in / position the / final stone of / the / CENTENNIAL HALL. / by / Miss. MA. Harris. / daughter of / JOHN HARRIS, ESQ. / Mayor of Sydney.'. The inscription is framed by a wide border richly engraved with flowers, foliage, birds and geometric motifs in the Aesthetic Movement style. The reverse of the blade inscribed: 'Presented / BY / J. STEWART & CO / Contractors / April. 10th 1889.'.

Made: Martin, Hall & Company; London, England; 1887

Used: Harris, Mary Ann; Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; 1889

Makers marks, underside of blade at edge, stamped, Martin Hall & Co, London 1887, with serial number, '96271x'

2006/161/2

1887

31 mm

105 mm