Last, Shoe

Object Name:

Last, Shoe

Object ID:

1966.047.25 a-b

Description:

Shoe last. Two parts. Wood, with leather on sides. Toe cut bluntly. Medium brown, carved hardwood. Square toe that was sawn off. Marked "X" on top back section with two scribed lines. Top removable section marked "[ ]N". Medium-brown hardwood. Removable section at front upper surface encompasses part of front flat surface. Parallel saw marks that run across width of shoe that are inside surfaces of removable piece. Saw mark curves down towards toe then goes straight up near toe. Piece of square metal nail in front surface of removable section. Horizontal hole in removable section near flat surface. Horizontal hole main section. Small horizontal hole near back below flat surface. On bottom is lightly-worn groove parallel to sides of perimeter all the way around edge. Small cluster holes in sole in front behind toe. At front under arch, under main portion of heel in center are holes. Some diamond-shaped holes. ~14 small holes near center at back and a couple small holes at top of back. At back center is cluster of pegs that are sawn off. Appears to be for left shoe due to shape of arch area and shape of sole. Top of main body is flat of main body. Removable piece has gentle concave curve. Front of last cut off somewhat crudely. Three distinct planes of cut surfaces and mark for start of another cut left side of front. On right side at front, area of leather added to side, starting at sole surface and extending upward ~1.1"; tapers to smooth surface at back and top edges; thick leather held in place by shoe pegs around edge. Front portion of this added piece is part of the crude removal portion of last. Notch on top surface of leather to accommodate removable section. On left side is long applied piece of leather that starts at sole surface and extends upward ~1.2"; leather is sculpted and smooth so it blends in with last surface; it is held in place with shoe pegs; it extends farther back than the one on right.

Material:

Wood
Metal
Leather

Dimensions:

H-4.3 W-3.6 L-10.7 inches

Provenance:

Part of a collection of early wooden tools and implements from a farm in Hancock, NH.

Credit Line:

Gift of Milton F. Schadegg