Gavels Continued…

History of the Gavel

• In ancient times, the gavel represented rent paid by a tenant to a landowner.


• A gavel in its present form and purpose is thought to have its origin in 18th century England in Masonic lodges as a symbol of authority and to maintain order.


• The word first appeared in print in the U.S. with its present meaning as a president's mallet or hammer in the 1860s.


• Since the 19th century, gavels have been widely used by judges, elected officials and presiding officers as a signal to come to order at meetings, as well as by auctioneers to indicate a sale.


• Most gavels are of anonymous manufacture. Many are mass-produced in a factory, while others are custom made to meet certain specifications.


• The most frequently used material in making gavels is wood, such as mahogany, walnut, ebony, rosewood, and maple. Ivory and bone were once used in combination with wood to make expensive gavels.

By Heather Brunson