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About the objectA trowel is a humble hand tool used for gardening and building. But this Presentation trowel is a decorative art object, made from fine silver and inscribed with elegant designs. It was created to commemorate a special occasion, the construction of a new church in Adelaide, which still stands in Pirie Street over 150 years later. Silver presentation trowels were an important part of Foundation Stone Ceremonies in the 19th Century.

About the creatorsThe engraver of this trowel, Joshua Payne, was a multi-skilled artist and craftsman who exhibited etchings with the South Australian Society of Arts, published a short-lived comic newspaper called The Mirror, and helped create Australia’s very first gold coins. The trowel itself was made by C.E. Firnhaber, a metalsmith born in Germany who worked in Australia for 33 years.

Start at home Marvellous metallic engraving

#28

Image detail C. E. Firnhaber, Australia, 1805–1880, Joshua Payne, engraver, Australia, c.1810–May 1889, Presentation trowel [Wesleyan Chapel, Adelaide], c.1850, Adelaide, silver, casuarina handle, 38.0 cm (length); Gift of Dr. William Young 2013, great-great grandson of Sir Henry Edward Fox Young, Lieutenant-Governor of South Australia 1848-1854. Donated through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide.

Presentation trowel (Wesleyan Chapel, Adelaide) is currently on display in Gallery 2

“The silver trowel used at the ceremony yesterday was much admired for its exquisite workmanship.”

– South Australian Register, Tuesday 16 July 1850