I ran across this beautiful sign online and noticed the wooden shoes, as I had made a couple of pairs previously. I hadn't thought they were anything but Dutch. So I looked into the French shoe of this type. They are known as Sabots.
This pair of hand carved 1:12 scale miniature Sabots replicate a pair from the late 1890's. They are carved from Cherry wood with real leather straps.
Sabots were worn by the lower class throughout Europe. Peasants were so highly associated with sabots, that eventually, the term "sabot" became a slang name for the country peasants. During France's Industrial Revolution, the peasants were called from the fields to work in the factories when all the city folk went on strike. The sabot-wearing peasants did not know how to properly work all the modern machinery, which is when the term "saboteur" became slang for "to bungle a job" and the word "sabotage" described the act damaging of something, which the peasants inevitably ended up doing to the equipment.
Below are the pictures I worked from:
I found several pictures of French wood shoes as a collectible in a current day setting.
Now I am getting worried about your memory Linda :(
ReplyDeleteI commissioned you to carve a pair of sabots for me in 2009 to use in my French Coastal Fisherman's House
Here is the link to my blog posting showing the wooden sabots you made for me to jog your memory.
http://karincorbin.blogspot.com/2009/11/miniature-custom-carved-sabots.html.
I do remember Karin. And I also made a pair for a doll maker before yours. I guess I was thinking both Dutch. But now I do remember you calling them Sabots.I got excited seeing them decorated with carving. This is new in my research.
DeleteThank you for these interesting facts about sabots.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Drora
The sabots are lovely
ReplyDeleteGreetings
Los zuecos están preciosos, los has trabajado a la perfección.
ReplyDeletePoder leer historia unida a las minis me encanta.
Muchas gracias por enseñarnos tus estupendos trabajos.
Un abrazo
Maite
I was niave thinking all wooden shoes were Dutch too. It's interesting to find out where the origins of the words saboteur and sabotage came from.
ReplyDeleteYou've done a wonderful job of replicating them in miniature. Very finely done =0)
To say I'm gobsmacked would be an understatement, your sabots are little gems of art!
ReplyDeleteFantastic old wooden shoes and very interesting explanations about the "sabots"
ReplyDeleteYou never cease to amaze me Linda with your carving skill.
ReplyDeleteThe sides are so thin I can't image how you did that without breaking through. Not to mention the fact they are both exactly alike and there seems to be a right and a left.
Beautiful and interesting post!
The sabots are exquisite and I love hearing how words came into being. Found the history really interesting.
ReplyDeleteHello Linda,
ReplyDeleteThese are just beautiful. I am amazed at the project you take on and manage to make successfully. Very interesting information.
Big hug,
Giac
Wow your mini Sabots are beautiful, thank you for the history lesson too, very interesting. I thought wooden shoes were unique to Holland too, learn something new every day!
ReplyDelete