Antique Brass Boot – BBS4

A single antique brass boot with stand on back.

During the 18th and 19th Centuries it was common to place a well worn child’s shoe in weak spots of one’s house, doors, windows or chimneys as a token of good luck upon the house and to ward off evil spirits. The shoe was believed to carry the good spirits of the wearer. In later years with many people working in factories, often working with metal, people began to make boots out of scraps of metal as fireplace ornaments to continue this tradition. The boots were made from discarded scraps of metal, mostly brass but often copper and aluminum too. Some have vestas on the back to hold matches and are decorated with indents, often marking the year or with wording or symbols. These small ornaments are a wonderful testament to the folk traditions of Britain.

For sale as part of our Autumn exhibition, Paper Cut Pigeons & Brass Boots.

This item is antique and carries the marks of an old, handmade item.