This collection of marble working tools originates from a Florentine workshop during the 15th century, providing important historical insight into the techniques of Italian Renaissance sculpture and architecture.
The assemblage includes a variety of equipment, each designed for specific functions, which collectively offer a comprehensive perspective on the skillsets of the stonemasons during this period. The tools were primarily employed for marble shaping and polishing and contribute to an aggregate understanding of Renaissance-era craft techniques.
Included are mallets with worn wooden handles and iron heads, showing signs of extensive use. Chisels present in the collection range from wide, flat models to slim, sharp-pointed types, pointing to the various stages of marble shaping.
Other tools within this collection include scrapers with curved and sharp edges needed for surface smoothing, and frequently-used rasps punctuated with sharp points for precise design refinement. Adjustable calipers, trammels, and compasses also form part of this collection, emphasizing the accuracy and detail required in marble crafting.
Distinct wear marks on these instruments attest to their use over time and provide tangible indicators of prolonged and intensive labor that contributed to both religious and secular architectural structures.
