Object Details
Description
These cast iron shoes were probably worn by a chemist, and probably date from the 18th century. The donor believed they once belonged to the famous French chemist, Antoine Lavoisier. But, as there is no way to verify this claim, we value these shoes for what they can tell us about early French scientific and cultural history.
Each shoe weighs over 1-1/2 lbs! There are rivets all around the top of the heels, sides, and insteps. On one shoe, some remnants of leather remain under the rivets. Whether this leather was strictly decorative or served some practical purpose is unknown.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. Edward M. Nagel
Date made
18th century
ID Number
CH.330783
catalog number
330783
accession number
299585
Object Name
shoes
Physical Description
iron (overall material)
leather (overall material)
Measurements
shoe 2: 7.7 cm x 28.6 cm x 10.8 cm; 3 1/16 in x 11 1/4 in x 4 1/4 in
shoe 1: 7.7 cm x 28.6 cm x 10.8 cm; 3 1/16 in x 11 1/4 in x 4 1/4 in
overall; left: 3 in x 4 1/2 in x 11 7/16 in; 7.62 cm x 11.43 cm x 29.05125 cm
overall; right: 3 in x 4 1/4 in x 11 3/8 in; 7.62 cm x 10.795 cm x 28.8925 cm
See more items in
Medicine and Science: Chemistry
Clothing & Accessories
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_2621