Small Antique Baby Clog, Wooden Sole, Leather Upper
This tiny clog probably dates to the 18th or 19th century. It measures 12.5cm long, just over 4cm wide and 5cm high. It would most likely have been from the baby's first pair of clogs and was designed for indoor wear, as it has never had clog irons fitted to the sole and there is insufficient wear for them to have been worn on pavements or cobbles. Usually soles of clogs were made of beech, but the grain looks very fine, so it may be sycamore or alder, which was used to reduce the weight. The soles also do not have any marks at the front or back of the sole to indicate they were machine cut, so were probably hand cut by a very skilled clog maker. Most likely this clog was kept for sentimental reasons because it was the baby's first footwear and there was little point in keeping both, or maybe one was given to a relative.
The clog was obviously used, as the sole has worn down. The leather upper is hard, possibly from age, and the front, where the buckle would have originally been is is a bit damaged, as can been seen in the photo. It looks as if the buckle may have been cut off, which is most likely because it was needed for the baby's next pair when he or she grew out of these. There is one nail missing from around the sole.
Also included with the clog is a copy of the paperback book, Concerning Clogs by Bob Dobson. This little book represents 5 years of research by the author into the many facets concerning clogs, including historical with manufacturing information, and poems with memories of a world which has passed. Facts on the making and wearing of dogs throughout history in Lancashire and elsewhere make interesting reading and provides context for the lovely baby clog.
This is a good opportunity to get and interesting and rare item at a good price. I am only selling it because I have other similar ones in my collection.
Look out for lots of other items I am selling.