The auction hammer at Murray & Co in Chennai has remained operational since Feb. 10, 1927 [1].
This enduring tool represents one of the longest continuous traditions of public commerce in the region. As the hammer approaches its century mark, it serves as a physical link to the colonial-era trade history of Madras.
The auction house is known for its Sunday auctions, where the hammer has signaled the end of countless bids for decades. According to a report from The Hindu, the tool has seen almost uninterrupted use since its inception in 1927 [1].
There have been only two brief periods where the hammer remained silent. One interruption occurred for a few weeks while the business relocated to a new address, and the second occurred during the pandemic [1].
"Since February 10, 1927, the hammer at the auction house Murray & Co has not had a break except for two seasons: for a few weeks during a relocation to a new address and then during the pandemic," a reporter said [1].
The consistency of the Sunday auctions has made the firm a landmark in Chennai. The hammer continues to facilitate the sale of diverse goods, maintaining a rhythm of business that has survived global shifts, and local transitions over the last 99 years [1].
“The auction hammer at Murray & Co in Chennai has remained operational since February 10, 1927.”
The longevity of the Murray & Co hammer highlights the persistence of traditional auction models in an increasingly digital global economy. By maintaining a physical, weekly gathering in Chennai, the auction house preserves a specific form of social and commercial ritual that dates back to the early 20th century.
