Dissel waarvan de steel ontbreekt c. 1590 - 1596

This is the head of an adze, a tool with a long history, forged in iron by an anonymous maker. Notice the socket at the top, designed to receive a handle. Imagine the swing of the tool, and the sharp blade biting into wood, removing shavings in a controlled way. The adze is a deceptively simple thing. The iron from which it is made would have been mined, smelted, and worked at a forge, likely by specialists. The head was shaped by hammering the hot metal, bending and flattening it to achieve the desired form. It's a testament to the skill of the smith that the adze is both functional and beautiful. This object reminds us that even the most humble tools have a story to tell about human ingenuity, labor, and the transformation of raw materials into objects of utility. By attending to such objects, we can gain insight into the lives of those who made and used them, and challenge conventional distinctions between art and craft.