Castleford Caliga

[Martin Moser]

Almost finished by now and quite a few years after I did a pair of caligae after the "blended" pattern suggested by Carol van Driel - the quite complete find from Castleford, UK, dated to the late 1st century AD and special in how drastically the length of the lacing straps differ, roughly a 2:1 ratio, which makes the ridge of the tabs move distinctly to the inside of the foot.
See a few quick shots here on my FB leatherworking page: https://www.facebook.com/leatherworkthroughtheages
Better pictures to follow as soon as I get around :-)

[brennivs - tony drake]

Excellent work again Martin . They are much more open around the foot, your feet will dry very quick in this pair. Do you think with most of the leather cut away and thin strapping around the foot make them as durable against other patterns of Calligae?. Again great work
Regards Brennivs

[Martin Moser]

Hi Tony,

thanks & glad to hear you like them :-)

Do you think with most of the leather cut away and thin strapping around the foot make them as durable against other patterns of Calligae?

I have never had any problems because of that. Actually, the Romans back then opted for the same, even though some of the originals show torn off and replaced straps. I have so far not seen one original caliga find that would show significantly broader straps, quite unlike many reproductions out there.

Compare e.g.
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:C...65805).jpg
http://www.thehistoryblog.com/wp-content...Museum.jpg
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:B...30453).jpg
http://www.belpaso.ro/noutati/Istoria-Pa...tm?print=1

with this:
http://www.maquetland.com/article-photot...nt-caligae (yikes!)
http://www.coh-ii-raet.de/waffen/ (... and more yikes :-))

[brennivs - tony drake]

Thanks for that Martin, i am about to make a pair for myself. The pair I have, I made 25 years ago Which is not bad going for footware. I noticed the straps have a rounded profile is there a special tool to do this? Chears
Regards Brennivs.

[Martin Moser]

The pair I have, I made 25 years ago Which is not bad going for footware.

Not bad at all! :-)

I noticed the straps have a rounded profile is there a special tool to do this?

The easiest way is to use a beveller for this, see e.g. http://www.amazon.com/Tandy-Leathercraft...B00430GAS4

[brennivs - tony drake]

Chears again Martin :grin: will give you a ask later on stud patterns when I get round too my new Caliga
Regards Brennivs

[Martin Moser]

Sure, do!

[Martin Moser]

And finally, that's what I think they may once have looked like.

[LUCIUS ALFENUS AVITIANUS]

Very nice and "authentic" look.

A little off topic, but an answer. The bronze calliga you have put a picture above, how is made? It's like a calliga construction? The rear part is stitched, then?

Thanks

[Gunthamund Hasding]

Martin,

for whatever reason I can't see the pic can you please PM me
or put it on your blog at jimdo

[Martin Moser]

Hi Gelu,

I'll put it up on sutor.jimdo.com as well shortly, in the meantime please see my facebook page https://www.facebook.com/leatherworkthroughtheages