Page 68 - Country Living - USA (January - February 2020)

Shoe Molds
Also known as “lasts,”
shoe molds were
the preferred way to
construct shoes in
the early Colonial era.
Not only do wooden
molds off er warm,
rustic charm, wood was
actually used (along
with cast iron and, later,
plastic) because strong
materials were needed
to withstand the
shoe production process
(think stretching,
tacking, and plenty of
hammering) . Most
vintage wooden pairs
date to the early- and
mid-1900s and range
from $25 to $60.

Can’t get enough?
display it These molds are now a
Perch pairs on a 16-by-20-inch puzzle
mantel or large shelf ($25; easy123art.com/
to add a kick of countryliving).
wooden gravitas.

Molds come in
varying shapes
and sizes. Narrow
your hunt down to
a certain type, like
this children’s pair.

ƃƅ COUNTRYLIVING.COM / JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2020