Ceremonial trowel, silver, the handle, ivory, Sheffield hallmarks for 1898-99, mark of John Sanderson.

Ceremonial trowel, silver with an ivory handle, the plate heart shaped tapering to a point, the upper surface extensively engraved with leaf and scrollwork ornament leaving a triangular shield in the centre for the dedication. The back plain with a dedication to the V&A Director of Design, Exhibitions and Futureplan and with stamped, Sheffield hallmarks for 1898-99 and the mark of John Sanderson. The handle, a rod of ivory swelling towards the tip and fixed into a cast silver socket, the junction surrounded by a ring of beading and palmette decoration, the stem with engravedand fluted decoration curving downwards towards the plate terminating in a cast acanthus leaf. The socket separately hall marked for Sheffield 1897-88 and the mark of William Yates (possibly).

This trowel comes in its own shaped, leather case lined with red velvet.

Given by David Bickle

This ceremonial trowel was presented to David Bickle, Director of Design, Exhibitions and Futureplan at the V&A by the contractors for the Exhibition Road Project on the completion of the superstructure basement of that project on the 19th November, 2015.

This ceremonial trowel, originally presented to a Mr. W. Oswin, Vice Chairman of the Hexthorpe School Board in 1901, was subsequently acquired by the contractors for the V&A Exhibition Road project and presented to David Bickle, Director of Design, Exhibitions and Futureplan at the V&A on the completion of the superstructure basement of that project on the 19th November, 2015. David Bickle presented this trowel to the V&A to mark this significant step in the development of this Futureplan project.

M.6:1-2018