Timmermanspasser c. 1590 - 1596

This ‘Timmermanspasser’, or joiner's divider, was likely made by an anonymous craftsperson. Its rough-hewn quality signals that it was created by hand-forging. The material, iron, is fundamental to understanding this object. It's a metal of the earth, extracted through hard labor. The traces of hammering and shaping, the marks of the hand, remain visible. These textural elements speak to the physical effort embedded in its creation. The divider’s simple form betrays an economy of means, yet also a deep understanding of geometry and mechanics. It represents a lineage of skilled work. This tool stands in contrast to mass-produced, industrially manufactured objects. It is a reminder of a pre-industrial world, where things were made slowly and carefully, and where the value of an object was directly related to the labor invested in it. In appreciating this humble tool, we acknowledge the value of craft and the often-unseen contributions of the skilled trades.