I spent part of today wandering round the British Museum and started noticing feet<g>. On statues, mostly, though I did stalk a nice looking pair of flat soled trainers in the cafe trying to spot the brand.
It was noticeable that the feet on men and women statues alike were lovely broad wedge shapes - Aphrodite rising from the waves would have had a good grip on her shell. Even when the feet weren't carved in great detail, the space between big toe and the second toe was almost always shown as a wider deeper gap. The only deformity I saw a few times (especially on women, including one of the women on the Portland Vase) was a Pinkie toe curled under the next one. Maybe from a sandal strap?? I've never really been a sandal wearer so I wouldnt know.
It was noticeable that the feet on men and women statues alike were lovely broad wedge shapes - Aphrodite rising from the waves would have had a good grip on her shell. Even when the feet weren't carved in great detail, the space between big toe and the second toe was almost always shown as a wider deeper gap. The only deformity I saw a few times (especially on women, including one of the women on the Portland Vase) was a Pinkie toe curled under the next one. Maybe from a sandal strap?? I've never really been a sandal wearer so I wouldnt know.
