Guts of holle beitel met schuin uitlopende snede waarvan de beitel voorzien is van een randlijst c. 1590 - 1596

This is a hollow chisel with a bevelled edge and a flanged collar, made by an anonymous artist. The iron tool presents a study in linearity, its form extending in a single, unbroken line from handle to tip. The chisel is imbued with a tactile quality, rusticated and worn from use. The artist has formed the chisel with functionality foremost in mind. But the tool transcends its utilitarian origins through its sheer simplicity. The form speaks to the essence of design. Here the tool’s design is not merely about function but hints at deeper structural principles of creation and utility. Notice how the linear form of the chisel implies a sense of directionality and purpose, suggesting the intent to shape, carve, or penetrate. In this way, the chisel operates not just as a tool but as a signifier of action and transformation, reflecting the constant interplay between form and function.