60/676/2

This is a hind horseshoe. One wing is fullered, with four nail holes, and ends in a ‘caulk’ (a protrusion at the toe or heel of a shoe which provides additional traction). The other wing, with two nail holes, is ridged and tapers to a wedge. The shoe is part of a large collection of traditional craft products acquired from the British Council in 1960. Its origin is not known.

1 horseshoe: metal

MERL miscellaneous note, B. L. 22 March 1961 – ‘The British Council collection. // This collection of material which is covered by the accession numbers 60/430 to 60/791 contains examples of craft products made in the British Isles. The major part of the collection was prepared immediately after the Second World War for a travelling exhibition which was sent to Australia and New Zealand. // The collection was purchased for a nominal sum by the Museum in two portions, the one in the summer of 1960 and the other in February 1961. // For further details see the individual catalogue cards and the catalogue prepared for the temporary exhibition of the collection.’, MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘No indication is given by the British Council of the origin of these shoes. // 1. A front shoe; one wing is grooved and has four nail holes. The other wing is ridged and has only two holes. It is 5 1/2 in. long and 5 3/4 in. wide. // 2. A hind shoe. This is similar in pattern to (1) above, but one wing ends in a squared boss. The other tapers and the twin nail holes are set much further back along the wing. Length 5 1/4 in., width 5 1/4 in.’, British Council Ref. No. Not known.