Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2025.6.1 |
Object Name |
Postilion Boots |
Shelf Location |
CAA Lobby Display |
Description |
A pair of leather boots, with steel rowled spurs. c. 17th-19th century. These heavy, stiffened boots were worn by postillion riders beginning in the 17th century in Europe. While it would provide excellent protection to the rider’s leg from the pole or shaft of the carriage, the extreme weight, forward cant, and absolute rigidity of the boot makes it utterly unfit for walking. The boots, also called Jack Boots, get their name from the jacked leather, horsehide treated with wax and pitch or tar to make it black and waterproof, from which they were traditionally made. These heavily worn examples are fortunate to have their matching rowled spurs. Inside one example can be seen a horse-hair stuffed cushion which has been added for further comfort and protection of the postilion’s leg. The use of these boots is described by Charles Dickens in Pictures from Italy, as he recounted his departure from Paris via post-coach in 1844: "The immense jack-boots worn by these postilions, are sometimes a century or two old; and are so ludicrously disproportionate to the wearer’s foot, that the spur, which is put where his own heel comes, is generally halfway up the leg of the boots. The man often comes out of the stable-yard, with his whip in his hand and his shoes on, and brings out, in both hands, one boot at a time, which he plants on the ground by the side of his horse, with great gravity, until everything is ready. When it is - and oh Heaven ! the noise they make about it ! - he gets into the boots, shoes and all, or is hoisted into them by a couple of friends; adjusts the rope-harness, embossed by the labours of innumerable pigeons in the stables... and away we go." Pictures from Italy, Charles Dickens, 1846. Pgs. 7-9. |