Wooden Shoe

PeriodCirca 1700 - 1750

Place MadeNew Jersey, U.S.A.

MediumCarved wood

Dimensions3 × 3.5 × 10 in. (7.6 × 8.9 × 25.4 cm)

ClassificationsCostume, Men's

Credit LineGift of Mrs. J. Amory Haskell, 1941

Object number1688

Curatorial RemarksThese traditional carved wooden shoes are usually identified with the Netherlands. While wooden shoes appear in numerous cultures throughout history, the simple slip-on style with pointed, slightly upraised toes developed within Holland. Archaeological finds in Amsterdam and Rotterdam indicate that this style of shoe was made and worn as early as the mid-14th century. These sturdy wooden shoes were worn by men, women, and children, usually with woolen socks for additional comfort and cushioning. Clogs - known as "Klomp" in Dutch - were worn by working people from fishermen to farmers. Solid wood protected feet and toes from livestock, for example, and kept feet dry while plowing fields or working on fishing boats. Clogs continued to be part of the Netherlands' cultural and ethnic identity into the present day, with Dutch factories still turning out these traditional footwear.NotesAccording to accession records, this Dutch wooden shoe is from the Corlies family of Eatontown, Monmouth County. The Association has a number of Corlies family textiles and accessories in the collection. The earliest Corlies settlers in Monmouth came from Holland, and most likely brought over this type of footwear. A good portion of Monmouth's early settlers were Dutch, many of whom maintained their European cultural identity. Shoes of this type were produced by shoemakers in Monmouth County well into the 18th century.

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