Ice skates (pair)

1825-1900

Measurements

2-1/2 in x 10-7/8 in x 2-3/8 in

Materials

Unidentified wood, steel, leather

Credit Line

Historic Odessa Foundation, bequest of H. Rodney Sharp

Accession Number

1968.897

Provenance

Ex coll. H. Rodney Sharp

Comments

The ice skates conform in design and materials with others, notably in the collection of the New-York Historical Society that survive with useful provenances.  The skates have foot-shaped wood bottoms onto which the steel bars (i.e. blades) are screwed.  A long screw through the heel suggests it was intended to attach to the user's shoe heel.  Leather straps across the toes and instep thread through slots cut into the wooden platform.  The blades on these skates are not sharp.