January 3Jan 3 I remember having read repeatedly, that the nowadays well known “typical form” of an anvil with its horn is a more modern invention (british?) and has been uncommon some hundred years ago. I like reading ancient literature and saw an interesting depiction in the nearly 550 years old family register of an alderman from Nuremberg. One can see an anvil, clearly with the horn to the right side, some hammers and smithing-tools and a kind of aphorism dedicated to the books owner, contraposing “anvil” and “man”. They even mentioned the hardened condition of the anvil, so I was surprised once more about our forefathers knowledge - a sometimes highly underestimated factor. It’s written in ancient german, so I tried my best to transfer/translate the lines into somehow actual speech… “The anvil, strong and hardened well, Will not be damaged - by no stroke sturdy he is and doesn’t move as if he had been touched by a feather. Stays upright, unharmed all the time even tormented by misery and pain, exactly like a well proved man - as if he would have been touched by a feather only… In regard to the age of this book I would see that as a really nice aphorism, praising a man’s virtues as well as the blacksmith and his tool nr.1… Enjoy…
January 3Jan 3 I like that. Could you please write it out in German also. I'm havin touble reading it from the picture.
January 3Jan 3 Author Of course davor, you're welcome. This is ancient german and sometimes a little bit confusing even for German-Talkers, so i will add a transfer to understandable German too: original text: Ein Amboß, fest und wol gehert Von keinem Streich wirdt er versehrt. Standhafftig ist er unbewegt, gleich ob in ein Feder anregt. Mann in sieht Nott und Unfahl an Also thtüt auch ein bewehrter Man, Bleibt er bestendig unverletzt All anstöß gleich einer Federn schetzt. modernized text: Ein Amboß, fest und wohl gehärtet, von keinem Streich wird er versehrt. Standhaft ist er und unbewegt, als ob ihn eine Feder anregt. Man sieht ihm Not und Unfall an das gilt auch für den bewährten Mann, er bleibt beständig unverletzt, der alle Stöße gleich einer Feder schätzt.
January 4Jan 4 Firefly, I suggest that you repost this in "Blacksmithing Sayings, Proverbs" and/or "Blacksmithing Gems and Pearls." I think it will be seen more often in the future in one of those threads. Also, the "standard" London Pattern anvil has been around since the 18th century. So, about 250+ years. As you well know, continental European anvil follow a different tradition of shape and pattern. I have seen illustrations of a block anvil with a horn on one side going back to about the mid-middle ages. I have also seen medical illustrations of blacksmith shops with a block anvil and horns or bicks separately mounted (in stumps IIRC) away from the main anvil.
January 4Jan 4 Author Oh yes George N.M., these old books provide sometimes surprising views regarding life, way of thinking and of course working conditions of our elders. Nice to meet others, enjoying a view back in time. 4 hours ago, George N. M. said: ...suggest that you repost this in "Blacksmithing Sayings, Proverbs" and/or "Blacksmithing Gems and Pearls."... You are probably right and this old saying could fit better into one the mentioned spaces. Most online-communities dislike multiple/double-postings - maybe a moderator takes care, moving the whole thing to the proper place instead?
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