Men's Shoes (Anniversary Tin) 1850 - 1900

Here are two men's shoes, made from tin, by an anonymous artist. These shoes speak to the tradition of gifting tin for a 10th wedding anniversary; they are imbued with sentiments of love, commitment, and the everyday reality of domestic life. The form of the shoes is striking. In the 19th century, the aristocracy wore shoes like this as part of their formalwear. Yet the use of tin introduces a sense of the working class into the work. By taking a form of shoe normally worn by the upper class and reproducing it in tin, this artist may be commenting on class mobility and the importance of the working class. There’s an intimacy to the form and material. The shoes become a vessel for personal and shared memories, subtly reflecting the values, roles, and expectations within a marriage. The use of tin, a humble yet durable material, becomes a metaphor for the strength and resilience required in a long-term relationship.