Paperweight Anvil from

Eagle River Lodge No. 248 F. & A.M.

Here is a nice metal paperweight Masonic anvil.  On the front side it has the Square and Compasses. On the back it says Eagle River Lodge No. 248, F & AM.   It measures 8.5" long. 4" tall.

There are many designs for anvils, which are often tailored for a specific purpose or to meet the needs of a particular smith.  The common blacksmith's anvil is made of either forged or cast steel, tool steel, or wrought iron. (However, cast iron anvils are generally shunned, as they do not return the energy of a hammer blow as does steel.) Historically, some anvils have been made with a smooth top working face of hardened steel welded to a cast iron body, though this manufacturing method is no longer in use. It has at one end a projecting conical bick (beak, horn) for use in hammering curved pieces of metal. Occasionally the other end is also provided with a bick, which is then partly rectangular in section. Most anvils made since the late 1700s also have a hardy hole and a pritchel hole where various tools, such as the anvil-cutter or hot chisel, can be inserted to be held by the anvil. Some anvils have several hardy and pritchel holes, to accommodate a wider variety of hardy tools and pritchels. An anvil may also have a softer pad for chisel work.  Anvils have been used since early Bronze Age times by smiths of all kinds for metal work, although the tool was also used in much earlier epochs for stone and flint work.

There are many references to anvils in ancient Greek and Egyptian writing, including Homer's works. The anvil was perfected during the Middle Ages when iron working was commonplace.

 

              

               

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