Relics of the Pedestrian Age

 

In an era when an ordinary stroll down main street meant subjecting your footwear to some of the most distasteful aspects of city living, these metal contraptions provided a physical, and perhaps psychological means to eliminate the aberrant socio-natural environments outdoors, from the pulchritude and civility occurring indoors. Considering their practical application boot-scrapers were often adorned with quaint motifs inspired by flora or fauna. Along some neighborhoods they are matching, and unifying element of the streetscape, comparable to stoops, doors, planting and awnings.

 

Whereas some traditions encourage removal of ones footwear altogether - in order minimize the transgressive elements of the sullied outdoors, 19^th century urbanites in the west opted for a faster, socially acceptable alternative.

  

 

 

The most elaborate ‘scrapers’ closely match the brazenness of the building’s façade and address.

Paradoxically, it was the conquest of the urban landscape by the motor vehicle, which prompted improvement to city streets and boulevards. Ultimately, the humble boot-scaper became an anachronistic artifact of the cityscapes.