081 - Wedge

TOOL USED FOR processing stone: its end that touched on the stones was wide, while the other was narrow. The craftsman struck the upper part of the wedge with a hammer, thereby giving to the stone the desired shape. Apart from processing stone, wedges were used for cutting wood as well, by applying them to the appropriate slot and facilitating the cutting of timber. Like other tools of stone carvers, wedges were mostly improvised or crafted in small local workshops, passing from father to son like the rest of the “heirotechna”. Thiaxs wedge belonged to the grandfather of the family and was in use until the beginning of the 20th century.

Donor: Takis Maniatakos