Jewellers leather sand-filled carving pad, 1950s

Jewellers leather sand-filled carving pad, 1950s

The leather sand bag was an essential tool in the horologist's kit. Weighing in at over a pound, this double-stitched cushion stabilized and quieted the work of the watchmaker and jeweler as they set stones, shaped metal, and engraved designs including letters as well as landscapes. This pad belonged to John Earl Finney who attended Bradley’s Horology School during its final years. Engraving required a “steady hand” and “artistic sense” and, according to the 1959 course guide, female horology students were “likely to be more proficient than men!” Come check out our Horology collection of artifacts, course texts, and images to learn more about this inclusive School and how its curriculum and students changed over time.

Photo by Ching Zedric.

Horology; Women college students

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