Puncher
The punzer is the professional title for a traditional artisan of the leather craft. He specializes in the surface treatment and processing of leather . The patterns and ornaments embossed and designed into the leather surface have no technical significance, but are used for decoration and refinement .
General
Puncher is a historical occupation that is rarely practiced in Europe and is no longer listed as a training occupation in Germany by the Federal Institute for Vocational Training . In addition to leather processing, hallmarks are also common in metal processing, but there are other professions such as goldsmith (e.g. with hallmarks ).
The manual driving in of hallmarks using individual hallmarks as a tool is time-consuming and requires a high level of experience and skill. Specially made larger hallmarks are only used for pieces to be produced in small series , for example multiple coats of arms , because of the manufacturing effort .
With the exception of individual handcrafted items, hallmarking has now been replaced by machine stamping in series and mass production. One of the last full-time puncher in Germany works in a Hamburg workshop and has earned international recognition.
History
Leather is one of the oldest materials used by mankind. Decorating techniques such as scoring and punching were already used in ancient Egypt to decorate leather. It is not known whether special craftsmen were trained for this.
In the early Middle Ages , the handicraft that flourished in the Orient spread through North Africa and Spain to Central Europe. Leather is the predominant part of saddles and harnesses for horses . In addition to their technical significance, these often also have a representative meaning and are therefore elaborately decorated with hallmarks .
Many historical book covers use punched leather for the cover design. In addition to the puncher, the bookbinder , slipcase and case also cover with punched leather.
The hallmarking used in Italian panel painting since the 13th century to decorate gilded surfaces can only be found today in historical restoration .
Today's field of activity
In addition to the actual hallmarking for the production of handcrafted individual items, the repair and restoration of objects with hallmarked leather is part of the field of activity. For example, the manual activities of cabinet makers , gilders , restorers and bookbinders are also used. In addition to the small hand hallmarks, a device similar to a printing press is often used to insert larger motifs .
literature
Gert Lintner, Mosaik-Verlag, Munich, new edition 1979: The large mosaic book of works. Creative design, materials and techniques. , ISBN 978-3570064696
Individual evidence
- ↑ Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB): BIBB apprenticeships, beginning with P ( memento of the original from June 29, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , accessed July 12, 2012
- ↑ NDR: Rare Meister: The rarest jobs in the north , accessed July 12, 2012
- ↑ a b c Die Welt online, August 16, 2000: Sheikh of Bahrain relies on Hamburg puncher , accessed July 12, 2012
- ↑ scinexx, taken from University College Cork, June 10, 2010: Oldest leather shoe in the world discovered , accessed July 12, 2012
