Stitching/saddlers clam origins?

[weepingdragon]

Hello,

Does anyone know the origin or know of any old documentation that discusses stitching/saddlers clams/clamps? I was under the impression when I purchased mine 35 years ago that they were a late 16th/early 17th invention. Doing the "Goog" , it says that they have been in use in Europe "for centuries", but don't define "centuries".

 

Thanks for any input

[fredk]

I've certainly seen illustrations dating from the 13th century depicting leather workers and shoe makers using clams, both attached to a bench and between the workers knees. 

[Fowlingpiece]

An source documentation on the 13th century references?

[fredk]

All my books are packed away until late spring/summer time. Check out some of the 14th century Books of Hours and Psalters

There is a Leatherwork museum in the Midlands of England. Have you contacted them?

[weepingdragon]

I'll contact them and see what they have for info, thanks

[weepingdragon]

I contacted the Leatherwork Museum and all of their sources are from early late 18th/19th century.

 

Thanks again

[Prusty]

There’s a few stained glass windows in France that show cordwainers using their knees instead of clams in the 13th century, and the Mendel Hausbuch from Germany in I think the 14th doesn’t show them either. So I’d guess sometime after that, perhaps as larger and more complicated work is being done. Though I need to dig out the images, so don’t quote me on that.