POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

Presentation trowel used in laying the foundation stone of Sydney Town Hall

Object No. 2006/161/1

This trowel was used in laying the foundation stone of the Great Hall of Sydney Town Hall on 13 November 1883. It relates to the history of a prominent Sydney family. Lizzie Henrietta Harris, to whom the trowel was presented by aldermen of the city, was wife of John Harris, Mayor of Sydney. Their daughter Mary Ann was herself Mayoress of Sydney in 1888 and 1889, during the five terms in which her father was Mayor. It was made in the workshop of William Kerr (1838-1896), a leading watchmaker, jeweller and silversmith in Sydney in late 19th century. Today, Kerr is mostly remembered for his distinctive silver trophies, three of them receiving an award at Australia's first International Exhibition which took place in Sydney in 1879. Kerr's work was commended for 'tasteful design' and 'careful workmanship'. William Kerr was born in Northern Ireland and came to Australia on board of the 'New York Packet' with his family in 1841. Kerr obtained many important commissions for presentation pieces, like this trowel, often from the Sydney City Council. Recognising the importance of sporting life in Australia, Kerr also sponsored clubs which gave him a steady stream of orders. He used Australian motifs, mostly plants and animals, in his distinctive, finely worked pieces. The striking design and execution as well as the original condition of the trowel, which is applied with Australian flowers crafted in gold, make it an outstanding item of Australian metalwork of the period. It is the only example of its kind known to have been made and survived.