Pair of foot pads, worn by shepherds in the mountains to protect the balls of the feet.

Collection type: Object
Description: Pair of foot pads, worn by shepherds in the mountains to protect the balls of the feet.
Long description: Pair of foot pads, beige, black and white in colour. Teased, layered and folded goat hair. Stitched to form a square. Three loops and a braid. These were worn by shepherds in the mountains to protect the balls of the feet. [RJ 17/2/2003]
Geographical reference: Oman
Asia > Western Asia > Oman
Person: Maker Unknown Maker; Field collector Gigi Crocker Jones; PRM source Gigi Crocker Jones
Date / Period: Date made: 07/1982
Date collected: July 1982
Acquisition information: Donated: 2003
Materials and processes: Material Goat Hair Animal, Material Sheep Hair (Wool) Animal, Process Stitched, Process Braided, Process Looped, Process Stitched
Dimensions: Width 100 mm, Length 110 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 2003.9.139 Other numbers: Field collector's catalogue number: Textile 216
Research and responses: Extract from 'Traditional Spinning and Weaving in the Sultanate of Oman' by Gigi Crocker Jones, published by The Historical Association of Oman, March 1989. On foot pads, pg.58: 'Footpads: When in the harsher terrain of the mountains shepherds used to wear a square of padded goat hair to protect the balls of their feet. Some still do but in most cases the plastic sandle is preferred as it lasts longer. The pads are made from teased, layered and folded goat hair stitched firmly to form a square. Each pad has three loops stitched to the upper side. To these loops is attached a thin rope of sheep wool which goes around the wearer's heel while his second toe goes through the centre and foremost loop thus making a tight fit which keeps the pad in place.' [RJ 14/1/2003]

Search terms: Clothing Footgear, Footgear

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