Elizabethan engraved shoehorn by Robart Mindum, dated 1600.

An Elizabethan engraved shoehorn by Robart Mindum, dated 1600.

The shoe horn measures 19.5 x 5.5cm.

The shaped cow horn is finely worked all over with knotwork, scrolls, guilloche and scales, the top with a cartouche bearing a stylised fleur-de-lys and an outer border bearing the inscription; 'THIS IS FRANCIS HINSONS SHOING HORNE GYVEN BY MARGREAT (SMIT)H AND ELSABEATH SMITH AND MADE BY ROBART MINDUM’. Amongst the extensive engraving, the shoe horn is dated ‘1600’ and bears the initials of the reigning monarch during its manufacture ‘E.R’, Elizabeth I (Regina). The back is engraved with the initials of a later owner ‘EG’.

Presented with a bespoke metal and ebonised wood display stand.

There is a loss to the end and so a word is illegible, this word is probably 'Smith'. Historic old, marks, scratches and losses. There is a linen-tape repair to the smaller end. Two metal rivets repair a historic fracture.

This is one of 27 shoe horns by Robert Mindum. An illustrated chronological list of shoehorns and powder horns decorated by Robart (Robert) Hendart Mindum between 1593 and 1613 with the text of all citing references. This catalogue is updated as new works by Mindum come to light can be found at:

https://www.academia.edu/20393370/A_catalogue_of_shoehorns_made_by_Robert_Mindum_1593_1613