Hammers symbolize strength and order, and this ornate gavel carved by Asmundur Sveinsson (1893 – 1982) was inspired by Icelandic Vikings, who formed what is believed to be one of the world's earliest democracies in the 10th century CE. Former Permanent Representative of Iceland to the UN, Hjálmar W. Hannesson explained, in this period of history “…we adopted Christianity, which contributed to the cessation of internal strife and unification of the country. And one of the leaders said then: ‘Society must be built on the basis of laws.’" This phrase is now inscribed on the gavel.

The gavel was replaced in 2005 by a replica made by Icelandic sculptor Sigridur Kristjansdottir (1944 – ), who carved it out of pear tree wood to be especially sturdy and strong.

Iceland presented this gift to the United Nations in 1952. With its "great grandfather" of modern parliaments formed in 930 CE, Iceland took pride in providing the gavel to the "parliament of the world" — the United Nations General Assembly.

Every year the gavel is used by the President of the General Assembly to declare the beginning and end of meetings, the approval of the agenda, the election of officials, and the adoption of resolutions. It is employed forcefully at times to bring order to the hall. At the end of the General Assembly the gavel is ceremoniously passed from the current President to the next President.