The Epworth Collection

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17th century leather shoe

Late 17th century "concealed" shoe found in a void above the ground floor fore-kitchen, thus under the floorboards of the first floor and close to the central fireplace. It was discovered when the rectory was being renovated in 2013 as part of the project called "Put the Hearth back in the Home". It has a leather front piece with 2 holes presumably for a buckle, a pointed toe, stacked leather heel of over 1 inch, repair to the side (possibly for a bunion) and the heel section has been cut away at some point to make a mule like shoe or fit a second owner. It was found with a piece of twisted woody plant that has been deliberately twisted into a shape (see 2013-699) Research indicates that the practice of concealing shoes in buildings is probably the most common superstitious practice of the post mediaeval period and this find ties in with other finds in 5 main ways. Firstly where the shoe was found namely close to the fireplace and in a void (not in foundations); secondly the associations with repair work as it is thought the shoe could have been placed in the void when the house was rebuilt in 1709 after the fire; thirdly, that the shoe is old and well worn; fourthly that it is a single shoe; and finally that it is often placed there with other items - in our case the twisted twigs. It is thought that sometimes workmen rather than owners are responsible for the concealment.

Category: shoe

Production Date: 1680-1690

Material Part: leather

Object Number: 2013-698

Collection

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