Word
Stonemason
Variant
Steinmetz · Scalpellino
Region
Definition
Skilled craftsman who works with stone for construction purposes. Stonemasons were essential workers in historical building projects, responsible for cutting, shaping, and laying stones for walls, arches, and decorative elements.
Description
Stonemasons played a crucial role in the construction of European court residences during the 17th and 18th centuries. Their expertise encompassed various techniques including quarrying, cutting, carving, and laying stone.
The craft required extensive training and apprenticeship, often lasting several years. Master stonemasons were highly respected members of the building trades, commanding higher wages than common laborers.
Historical records from Hampton Court indicate that stonemasons earned less than carpenters in 1704, though both trades were essential to major construction projects. The work involved close collaboration with other craftsmen including carvers, plasterers, and ironworkers.
Variations
De
SteinmetzGermany
"Der Konig hat die steinmetzer viel geld gegeben"
Koblenz, Bundesarchiv
cart 333, doc 549, linie 34
Date: 1620-1629
No source document.
Co-occurrence
Stein (Stone)
77%
Schloss (Castle)
44%
Bauen (Building)
16%
Wasser (Water)
3%
It
ScalpellinoItaly
"Si eccettua infine la mansione propria dello scalpellino"
Turin, Archivio di Stato di Torino
cart 202, foglio 344, riga 105
Date: 1600-1699
No source document.
Co-occurrence
Corporazione (Guild)
66%
statua (Statue)
45%
impalcatura (Scaffolding)
23%
scalpello (Chisel)
23%
Related