Jackboots

18th century
Not on view
The jack boot is a heavy, stiffened boot worn by postillion riders in the 17th and 18th centuries. While it would provide excellent protection to the rider’s leg, the extreme weight, forward cant, and absolute rigidity of the boot makes it utterly unfit for walking. The boot gets its name from the jacked leather, horsehide treated with wax and pitch or tar to make it black and waterproof, from which it was traditionally made. This heavily worn example from the collection, although missing its mate, is fortunate to have the matching spur with original leather straps.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Jackboots
  • Date: 18th century
  • Culture: British
  • Medium: leather
  • Credit Line: Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Herman Delman, 1954
  • Object Number: 2009.300.2783a, b
  • Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute

More Artwork

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.