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2012-36, Hammer
Double Sided Raising Hammer
2012-36, Hammer

Double Sided Raising Hammer

Date1750-1820
OriginAmerica or England
MediumIron / steel
DimensionsOL: 5" Diameter of heads: 1 3/4" & 1 5/8"
Credit LineGift of Judith and William McMillen
Object number2012-36
DescriptionDouble sided raising hammer. Narrowing chamfered necks, chiseled hash & "X" decoration on central section.
Label TextIn tinsmithing, the process of "raising" is how a flat piece is hammered into a dished shape, using only two tools. The first is the raising block, traditionally a stump of hardwood with a number of varying dished cavities carefully carved into the top. Leather lining in the cavities helps keep the tin from getting scratched, always a concern for the tinsmith.

The raising hammer, used to beat the tin into the cavity of the raising block, has smooth rounded faces, so it doesn't disfigure the tin either. Both of its faces are of slightly different diameters, and it has some incised decorations on the handle socket. Each neck is nicely faceted, making the tool quite attractive.