Object Record
Images
Additional Images [10]
Metadata
Title |
Decorative Wooden Clogs |
Object Name |
Clog |
Description |
Decorative Wooden Clogs, c. 1898-1923. Two wooden clogs hand carved by Redwood City's resident, philanthropist, first librarian, and photographer James Van Court for Laurine Elizabeth Holmquist Crockett. The clogs are a medium (maple looking) shade of brown wood. The clogs have a light varnish or wax on the outside. Each clog has a floral (or leaf) pattern carved into the top. On the outside of the toe area is a four petal (or leaf) design, and on the inside of the toe area are two petals (or leaves). There are three curved line designs on each toe. Each clog has a hole on the inside of the shoe, near the ankle, presumably where a string could tie around so that the clogs could hang on the wall. The interior and soles of both clogs have carving indentations, suggesting the clogs were chip carved. Inscription,"Laurine Holmquist / Redwood City / Calif." (on the underside of each clog, with illegible text underneath it, burned into the arch) "#1" (on the left clog) "#2" (on the right clog) There was a postcard sized piece of cardstock put inside one of the clogs by a member of the Redwood City Heritage Association. Inscription, "Redwood City Heritage Association / These wooden shoes / were made by Redwood City's / early day photographer and beloved / citizen Jim Van Court / Donated by" (in black ink) "Lorraine Holmquist Crockett" (beneath it in cursive pencil handwriting) |
Date |
c. 1898-1923 |
Creator |
Van Court, James |
Role |
Wood-carver |
Catalog Number |
2024.024.030A-B |
Dimensions |
H-11.25 W-4.25 D-4.75 inches |
Collection |
3D - Clothing |
Provenance |
These clogs were donated to the Redwood City Heritage Association by Laurine Elizabeth Holmquist Crockett. The clogs were stored or on display at Lathrop House prior to being accessioned by SMCHA. |
Notes |
"Obituary JAMES E. VAN COURT Redwood City Standard February 1, 1923 Hundreds of persons, men, women, and children in all walks of life, gathered at the First Congregational Church Sunday afternoon to pay final homage to one of Redwood City’s best beloved citizens, James E. Van Court, who passed away early last Thursday morning. Rev. C.H. Stevens, pastor of the church, paid a glowing tribute to the memory of this truly wonderful man, whose presence in the community had meant so much in the life and history of many of the boys and girls of Redwood City the past two decades. "Jimmy" Van Court, as he was known, conducted a photograph studio at the corner of what is now Main and Webster. It was here that he started a club for boys and girls of Redwood, fitting up the rooms at his own expense and charging no rent. He gave lessons on the violin to anyone who wished to learn without any charge. He made play things and toys for the children and built canoes for the older boys and girls to be used in the creek below his home. He arranged picnic parties and camping trips, paying all the expenses himself, besides giving his time and efforts for the enjoyment of the young people. Later he started a library at his home for the boys and girls and this became the foundation for the Redwood City Free Library. Jimmy Van Court was one of God’s noblest creatures. He found his happiness in the happiness of others, he cared nothing for honor or wealth and spent his money in doing something for somebody else, as a result of which he sometimes found himself in straits but he was always cheerful. His health failed him a year ago and shortly before Christmas, when he became seriously ill, some of his old friends placed him in a private home, where he was given every care during his last days. Jimmy Van Court came across the Isthmus of Panama with his parents in 1850 and settled in San Francisco where he learned the photography business. Later his family moved to Belmont where the son purchased a home for his parents. In the early seventies he located in Redwood and established his photograph gallery, which for many years was known from one end of the Peninsula to the other. His parents died a number of years ago. Two sisters Mrs. Virginia Arne of Berkeley, and Mrs. J.C. Lucas of East Orange, N.J. survive. The singing at the church services Sunday afternoon was furnished by a quartet composed of Mrs. C.L. Dimmit, Mrs. Otis Carrington, Miss Kittie Crowe, Mrs. N.C. Cummings with Miss Clarisa Dodge at the organ and Miss Mary Murray oil the violin. All of these six young women were formerly members of one of the girls clubs that was organized and carried on by Mr. Van Court. Following the services, the remains were taken to Union Cemetery, where they were placed in the family plot along side the father and mother of the deceased." [https://historicunioncemetery.org/resident/james-e-van_court/] "Laurine E. Crockett, a lifelong resident of Redwood City, died April 7 at Devonshire Oaks Convalescent Hospital in Redwood City following a long illness. She was 91. Mrs. Crockett worked at the Sequoia High School cafeteria for 17 years in the 1930s and 1940s. She was a member of the Peninsula Rug Makers Guild and the Redwood City chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons. Mrs. Crockett's father, R. C. Holmquist, was a Redwood City settler. She was married to the late Albert Earl "Bud" Crockett. She is survived by a son, Merton Crockett of Cameron Park; a daughter, Nancy O'Sullivan of San Carlos; a sister, Nancy Rytand of Atherton; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren." [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/31391226/laurine_elizabeth_crockett] "When Laurine Elizabeth Holmquist was born on 29 April 1898, in Redwood City, San Mateo, California, United States, her father, Rudolph Carl Holmqvist "Holmquist" Sr., was 25 and her mother, Selma Christina Persson "Allen", was 23. She married Albert Earl Crockett on 22 March 1915, in Sacramento, California, United States. They were the parents of at least 1 son and 1 daughter. She lived in Judicial Township 3, San Mateo, California, United States for about 40 years. She died on 7 April 1990, in Redwood City, San Mateo, California, United States, at the age of 91, and was buried in Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto, Santa Clara, California, United States." [https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/2Z36-7XT/laurine-elizabeth-holmquist-1898-1990] |
People |
Van Court, James Crockett, Laurine Elizabeth Holmquist |
Credit line |
Courtesy of Redwood City Heritage Association |