Superb Reservoir Trowel, 1840

This is the most majestic presentation trowel we have ever seen. The quality is truly fantastic and the detail to the engraving is outstanding. It has a superb hefty weight of 12.5 tr.oz. and the handle is of such a thick gauge that it did not require reinforcing with pitch. The handle itself is decorated with chased floral scrolls. This decoration continues on to the handle in the form of similar engraving. The front of the blade is engraved with a commemorative inscription to celebrate the construction of the Deanhead Reservoir and to the reverse is a detailed map of the site and the names of the men instrumental in its inception and completion. A remarkable object.

The inscription to the front reads "To the Rev'd Ralph Younger, incumbent of Deanhead. This trowel, Commemorative of the Commencement and Completion of the DEANHEAD RESERVOIR (The first & last stones of which were laid by him, the former on the 3rd day of October 1838 & the latter on the 8th day of May 1844.) is presented as a mark of Esteem and affection by his obedient servants The Commissioners of the said RESERVOIR".

To the reverse the centre field is engraved with a labelled map of the site with the following names around the outside: "Benjamin Walker Esq. Treasurer, Messrs John Ramsden, Michael Hoyle, John Walker, John Whiteley, Eli Sutcliffe & Samuel Walker, committee" and to the base "Thomas Outram Engineer, Fred'k Rob't Jones Jun. Clerk".

There is plenty of further scope for research and interest with this piece, but just to briefly outline that Deanhead Reservoir is in the Pennine Hills of Yorkshire, west of Huddersfield and close to the M62 motorway. The Rev'd Younger was curate at Deanhead from 1807 to 1856.