An 18 karat (18K) yellow gold good luck charm pendant designed as lucky old boot with a broken lace. Unmarked but tested for 18 karat gold.
Dimensions: 1.2 x 1.3 x 0.32 cm (not including jump ring)
Weight: 2.65 grams
(Chain not included)
There is a long association between old boots and good luck: At one time old boots would be hidden in the walls or buried under the threshold of a house to ensure good luck. They are still found when old houses are renovated or demolished.
People would throw old shoes after people setting off on a journey to wish them luck (2003: 325). It appears in Proverbs by John Heywood from 1546, with the belief being, ‘For good lucke, cast an olde shoe after mee’ (Opie 2005: 351). The belief expanded so that it brought luck to whatever endeavour the person was doing. This would explain why throwing old shoes after a newly-married couple would bring good luck to their marriage.