Schaafbeitel c. 1590 - 1596

This Schaafbeitel, or plane blade, made by an anonymous maker, tells us a lot about labor and production. Fashioned from forged iron, the blade embodies the skill of the blacksmith. Think of the heat, the hammer, and the repetitive action required to shape such a dense material. The tool’s dark, textured surface speaks to the intense processes it underwent. This wasn't just about brute force; the maker had to understand the properties of the metal itself, knowing just how much it could be stressed before it cracked. Consider the unseen effort involved in extracting the ore from the earth, smelting it, and then working it into a usable form. The blade’s simple shape belies the complex processes that brought it into being, and its purpose connects it to another set of skills. The plane blade is humble, but essential to the work of the carpenter. By focusing on materials and processes, we gain insight into the lives and labor that shaped our world, challenging the traditional hierarchy between art and craft.