Pair of child's leg braces (a) right (b) left; each brace is made of a metal foot-shaped plate at the bottom with the side edges turned up; the foot plate is lined with heavy felt; a piece of leather at the back of the heel provides support for two long heavy strips of metal which came from either …
Pair of child's leg braces (a) right (b) left; each brace is made of a metal foot-shaped plate at the bottom with the side edges turned up; the foot plate is lined with heavy felt; a piece of leather at the back of the heel provides support for two long heavy strips of metal which came from either side of the heel and would have ended just below the child's knee; another leather strap is at the top and is held in place with a strip of leather and buckle; there are three additional straps which went around the foot.
Number Of Parts
2
Part Names
a - right - Length 31.0 cm. x Width 21.0 cm. x Depth 9.2 cm.
b - left - Length 32.0 cm. x Width 21.9 cm. x Depth 9.4 cm.
Provenance
Leg braces were purchased at an auction in Morton, Ontario shortly before donation to the museum.
Dates
1920
1940
circa 1920-1940
Material
metal: silver; grey; rust
leather: black; brown
fabric: navy; white
Permanent Location
Storage Room 0007
0007-E1-5
Temporary Location
(left leg only) On display: "Vaccines and Immunization: Epidemics, Prevention, and Canadian Innovation"; Museum of Health Care, 29 February 2024.
Condition Remarks
Both braces show signs of heavy use; the leather is worn and cracked in places; the buckles and metal side braces are corroded and the metal foot plates have small holes and cracks; the felt is very worn; one of the leather straps at the foot on (a) is broken; both braces were very dirty and dusty
Copy Type
Original
Research Facts
Likely made for a polio victim
Publications
On exhibit 100TH Anniversary of Public Health Canada, Ottawa L-2019-7 27 Nov – 2 Dec 2019 (b - left brace only).
Exhibit History
On display: "Vaccines and Immunization: Epidemics, Prevention, and Canadian Innovation"; Museum of Health Care, Nov. 28, 2013 (a - right brace only).
(b) Off-site for conservation at Queen’s University Masters of Art Conservation School, Sept – Dec 2018.