Maison de l’Outil (House of Tools) museum anvils

Troyes Maison de l’Outil Anvil Gallery

l’Enclume, (anvil) images from the
Maison de l’Outil (House of Tools) Troyes, France.

The Maison de l’Outil (the House of Tools) in Troyes is a museum and library dedicated to historic and contemporary tools. It is a popular tourist destination in the Champagne and the Ardennes Region of France a short distance East of Paris.

Our contributor Stefaan Meeus, of Belgium recently visited Maison de l’Outil and photographed many of the tools and anvils. He was told there was over 150 anvils in the collection. He did not try to count but took photographs of the most interesting. Since many of the displays are behind glass and flash was necessary he did a very good job. Thank you Stefaan!

Stacked Display of Anvils (12 anvils)

Rare old French and European anvils in a huge display.

Tool Collection Displays (8 anvils)

Displays include hundreds of small tools surrounding anvils, bellows and forges.

Select Stain Glass Windows from St. Madeleine Cathedral (3 anvils)

Besides the tool museum as a tourist destination Troyes’ oldest remaining church, twelfth-century St. Madeleine Cathedral is also a popular place to visit in Troyes.

Anvil Drawings

Drawings made at Maison de l’Outil by Stephaan Meeus

1. French Deco Anvil

French Anvil in the alcove (outdoors).

2. Arch Side Flat Back Anvil

Two views of a French arch sided anvil.

3. French Side Horn Toolmakers Anvil

Early side horn anvil with three feet and a horn on the side.

 4. Unusual Old French Anvil

French Anvil molding trimmed feet and center arch.

6. French Built-Up Anvil

French Anvil that clearly shows the well defined build up method of the time.

 7. French “Fifth Foot” Anvil

French Anvil with added “fifth” foot.

8. Mousehole File Makers Anvil

English Mousehole Forge file makers anvil and tooling.

9. French Side Horn Anvil

Another French side horn anvil.

10. Primitive Old French Anvil

Very old primitive anvil with side braces.

 11. Heavy French Nailmakers Anvil

Unusual heavy round stake block with nail makers anvil and tools.

12. File Cutter’s Anvil

Typical file cutter’s anvil with lead insert, hammer and chisel.

 Group of three Old French Anvils

A plain sloped anvil and one decorated with fluer delis

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