Model of a Bench Vice c. 1830 - 1858

This is a model of a bench vice, made in Vlissingen by Rijkswerf, though the exact date remains unknown. Vlissingen, a Dutch city known for its maritime industry, positions this object within a rich history of shipbuilding and naval power. The bench vice, typically a tool of labor and craftsmanship, here becomes an object of art. It invites us to consider the identities and experiences of the workers at Rijkswerf. Were these craftsmen celebrated or exploited? How did their labor contribute to the larger narrative of Dutch industrialization and colonialism? By isolating and elevating this functional object, the model prompts reflection on the value of labor, the legacy of industry, and the intersection of art and everyday life. It is not just a representation of a tool, but a symbol of the complex relationship between work, identity, and historical progress.