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ID #SA1239668
FOR SALE
£225
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A Curious Antique 19th Century Child’s Shipwreck Shoe in Period Glass Display Dome
For sale by Folk and Fable Antiques
for sale €263     $286
£225
Folk and Fable Antiques

Folk and Fable Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Oct 2026
Browse dealers 30 items
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A Curious Antique 19th Century Child’s Shipwreck Shoe in Period Glass Display Dome

19th century
Description

Encased under a period glass dome, this small leather shoe is a fascinating survivor from the 19th century.

The leather is worn and hardened, with traces of hobnails still visible on the sole, and areas of corrosion, and marine residue that suggest it spent many years underwater before eventually being washed ashore.

It was found with many others on the north Devon coast and could be connected to the wider discovery of similar Victorian shoes along the western coastline, including the large number found in South Wales.

The current thinking is that these shoes likely came from a ship’s cargo, lost in a wreck and preserved for years in river or seabed sediment before storms and erosion released them.

A fabulous piece of social history and a wonderful thought provoking curiosity.

Condition of the shoe is as seen. The period glass display dome is very good, no chips or cracks. Structurally sound.

Measures 21cm x 19cm x 13cm

Weighs 850 grams

Physical Dimensions
Height
21cm (8.27")
Width
19cm (7.48")
Depth
13cm (5.12")
Declaration

Folk and Fable Antiques has dated this Victorian Glass Curiosity Dome to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1239668
Description
Encased under a period glass dome, this small leather shoe is a fascinating survivor from the 19th century.

The leather is worn and hardened, with traces of hobnails still visible on the sole, and areas of corrosion, and marine residue that suggest it spent many years underwater before eventually being washed ashore.

fig 1. A weathered nineteenth-century leather childs shoe sole mounted upright inside a glass display dome with an ebonised wooden base.
fig 1. A Curious Antique 19th Century Child’s Shipwreck Shoe in Period Glass Display Dome

It was found with many others on the north Devon coast and could be connected to the wider discovery of similar Victorian shoes along the western coastline, including the large number found in South Wales.

“
The current thinking is that these shoes likely came from a ship’s cargo, lost in a wreck and preserved for years in river or seabed sediment before storms and erosion released them.
Folk and Fable Antiques
fig 2. A weathered nineteenth-century leather childs shoe sole mounted upright inside a glass display dome with an ebonised wooden base.
fig 2. A Curious Antique 19th Century Child’s Shipwreck Shoe in Period Glass Display Dome

A fabulous piece of social history and a wonderful thought provoking curiosity.

Condition of the shoe is as seen. The period glass display dome is very good, no chips or cracks. Structurally sound.

Measures 21cm x 19cm x 13cm

Weighs 850 grams

Height
21cm (8.27")
Width
19cm (7.48")
Depth
13cm (5.12")
Date of Manufacture

Folk and Fable Antiques has dated this Victorian Glass Curiosity Dome to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1239668
Folk and Fable Antiques
Folk and Fable Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Oct 2026

Unique pieces for collectors and curious minds

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Folk and Fable Antiques Profile Page

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A weathered nineteenth-century leather childs shoe sole mounted upright inside a glass display dome with an ebonised wooden base.
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Archive I A weathered nineteenth-century leather childs shoe sole mounted upright inside a glass display dome with an ebonised wooden base.

A Curious Antique 19th Century Child’s Shipwreck Shoe in Period Glass Display Dome

Archive II A weathered nineteenth-century leather childs shoe sole mounted upright inside a glass display dome with an ebonised wooden base. View II
Archive III A weathered nineteenth-century leather childs shoe sole mounted upright inside a glass display dome with an ebonised wooden base. View III
Archive IV A weathered nineteenth-century leather childs shoe sole mounted upright inside a glass display dome with an ebonised wooden base. View IV
Archive V A weathered nineteenth-century leather childs shoe sole mounted upright inside a glass display dome with an ebonised wooden base. View V
Archive VI A weathered nineteenth-century leather childs shoe sole mounted upright inside a glass display dome with an ebonised wooden base. View VI
Archive VII A weathered nineteenth-century leather childs shoe sole mounted upright inside a glass display dome with an ebonised wooden base. View VII
Archive VIII A weathered nineteenth-century leather childs shoe sole mounted upright inside a glass display dome with an ebonised wooden base. View VIII
Enlarged Archival View
Folk and Fable Antiques

Folk and Fable Antiques
Telephone 07788216610
Location
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/folkandfable
Verified Since Oct 2026
Items For Sale 30
Folk and Fable Antiques
Folk and Fable Antiques
Verified Since Oct 2026
View Dealer Info
Location: United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/folkandfable
Verified
Oct 2026
For Sale
30
A weathered nineteenth-century leather childs shoe sole mounted upright inside a glass display dome with an ebonised wooden base.
A Curious Antique 19th Century Child’s Shipwreck Shoe In Period Glass Display Dome
Ref: SA1239668
A weathered nineteenth-century leather childs shoe sole mounted upright inside a glass display dome with an ebonised wooden base.
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectGlass Domes
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialGlass, Leather, Wood
  • ColourDark Brown
  • MotifsGlass cloche, Ebonised wooden base, Fabric-covered plinth, Preserved leather sole
  • SizeH 21 cm (8 in) x W 19 cm (7 in) x D 13 cm (5 in)

Encased under a clear glass dome on a rounded, dark-coloured wooden base with a flat fabric-covered plinth, this nineteenth-century child's shoe sole stands upright as a preserved curiosity. The dark brown leather shows extensive wear, corrosion, and marine residue, complete with visible hobnails along the bottom and a painted white mark on the arch. The transparent glass cloche provides a clean cover over the fragile leather fragment below. Measuring 21 cm high, 19 cm wide, and 13 cm deep, this item suits placement on a bookshelf in a study or cabinet of curiosities. Visible elements on the display piece include the smooth rounded edge of the wooden base, the pale fabric covering the central platform, and the subtle curvature of the glass dome overhead. The leather sole exhibits an irregular outline, with frayed edges at the heel and toe, alongside rusted metallic points across its surface. This nineteenth-century Victorian object integrates into a collection of historical curiosities or nautical artifacts within an interior space.

FAQs

In the nineteenth century, glass display domes were utilised to protect delicate specimens, taxidermy, clockwork mechanisms, and personal curiosities from dust and ambient environmental damage.

Authentic period display domes feature hand-blown glass, which often exhibits slight optical distortions, air bubbles, and thin walls, mounted on turned wooden bases that were frequently painted or ebonised.

Original nineteenth-century domes generally display subtle imperfections such as seeds or bubbles in the glass, a pontil mark or smoothed rim at the bottom edge, and natural wear to the painted or ebonised wooden plinth.

Curiosity domes are suited for placement on bookshelves, mantelpieces, or sideboards, functioning as sculptural focal points in dark academia, maximalist, or eclectic decorative schemes.

To preserve organic items like antique leather, display them away from direct sunlight and sources of heat or humidity, and clean the glass interior gently with a dry microfibre cloth without using liquid cleaners on the contents.
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