Chisel

In recent times, many tools dating from the 17th and 18th century have been found on the Thames foreshore by 'mudlarks'. They suggest a hive of activity on and along the borders of the riverbank in the central, built-up parts of the metropolis, especially the port area. At low tide, the wooden hulls of small ships and barges would have been repaired. Tools slipped from workers' hands and fell into the thick mud of the foreshore and were never reclaimed. The construction and renovation of buildings close to the river's edge and the river wall itself accounted no doubt for the loss of further tools.

This wrought iron chisel comes from the Thames foreshore at Queenhithe. It is quite a standard design. The top is mushroom headed and shows signs of use. The blade bears two marks: "IK" deeply set in a heart shaped recess and another abstract mark a third of the way down the blade. Such chisels were used by a number of trades including those working on ship and barge repair work as well as those in construction trades.