I.D. no: 32318
Dimensions: Max. L. 25 cm; Max. W. 11.5 cm.
Material: Globigerina limestone[1]
Provenance: From the Citadel, Gozo[2]
Current location: Museum of Archaeology, Gozo
Condition: Broken and missing heel. Various chips on toes and abrasions on sandal as well as most of the flat surface underneath the sole.
Description: A larger than life-size left foot in a thick-soled sandal with a thin strap between the large toe and the next one. This strap widens into a transversal strap along the base of the toes which in turn is connected to another transversal wide strap further up the foot.
Discussion: Too little survives of the foot to allow even a tentative identification. The toe nails are well pronounced and anatomically correct except that the large toe is notably shorter than the next two.
Possibly a product of local craftsmanship, somewhat on the coarse side. Its crude modelling allows little scope, if any, for dating.[3]
Bibliography: (previous publications of item): Annual Report of the Museum Department for 1960: 11. Otherwise unpublished.
[1] ‘Coralline limestone’ according to the Annual Report of the Museum Department for 1960: 11.
[2] ‘Found in the Gran Castello, Gozo. Given by Mr George Masini’ according to the Annual Report of the Museum Department for 1960: 11
[3] A comparison may be made with an even cruder sandaled foot in limestone from Silchester: Cunliffe and Fulford 1982: 42, no 147. Other examples are in the National Museum of Leiden: Bastet & Brunsting 1982: nos 104-115.