In the same way that you find craft stands at agricultural fairs in the UK, you find a number at the Comice. Sadly, as with UK fairs, there are only a limited number that demonstrate their craft, as most are more intent on selling. However the great great grandson of the village sabotier from the 1870s set up a wonderful stall at the Comice.
His complex display included a step by step set of objects from tree trunk to finished sabot.
John got into a long discussion with him - apparently oak and chestnut are no use for making sabots as they tend to split as they dry, but the birch logs here are ideal as are poplar so that the finished product is not too heavy. This is important as a sabot is a wooden clog - in days gone by the essential and durable footwear of choice of the agricultural community. A couple of years ago we needed to borrow a few pairs for our "Windmill in Old Amsterdam" act, and most of the village ancients had at least one pair to offer to the team. I was lucky in that I was able to borrow a fabulous pair made by the sabotier for his father, and they fitted well. Others had to do the traditional thing and stuff loads of straw in theirs to keep them on their feet - apparently that keeps your feet nice and warm in winter too!
Here is the full stand in all its glory, with the sabotier explaining his craft to interested parties.
He is also a talented carpenter as his day job and the son of our next door neighbour. Note he is wearing sabots to be truly authentic!
It's good to see that some traditions are surviving!
Posted by: Anne Donald | 09 September 2010 at 07:41 PM