A Shoe Doll That Belonged to a Child in the Slums of London, ca. 1905

1905 Shoe Doll 1

The fact that it was discovered in an Edwardian London slum around 1905, crafted from the heel of a man’s shoe, a black sock, and some scraps of household fabric, makes it both the most heartbreaking and marvelous of toys.

h/t: vintag.es

1905 Shoe Doll 2

This represents the highest form of recycling, showcasing the loving efforts of a family who couldn’t afford even the cheapest doll for their child. It’s remarkable that a homemade toy like this has survived for over a hundred years, thanks to Edward Lovett, who collected dolls from around the world to preserve local culture.

1905 Shoe Doll 3

If you want more awesome content, subscribe to Design You Trust Facebook page.

More Inspiring Stories

Street Artist Built A Wall Around Donald Trump’s Hollywood Star

The Lost Photos Of Barcelona Give Up Their Secrets

Common Threads: Stunning Embroidered Fabric By Candace Hicks

Couple Married 61 Years Ago Takes "Up" Inspired Anniversary Photos

Beautiful Winning Photos from the 2024 HIPA Photography Awards

Artists Continue To Recreate Kids’ Monster Doodles In Their Unique Styles

Disney Princesses Reimagined Years Later As Queens By Daughters And Mothers

A Scary Side of Beauty Culture

World’s Largest Slug is Bigger, Slimier, and Way Cooler Than You’d Imagine

Amazing Black and White Photographs Capture Scenes From Venice Beach In The 1970s And ’80s

Breathtaking James Webb Space Telescope Photos Of 2024

Artist Brings Tiny Illustrations To Life By Using Everyday Objects

One man, 100,000 toothpicks, and 35 years: An incredible kinetic sculpture of San Francisco

Artist Leaves Funny Signs Around City For People To Find

Walk To The End Of The World: The Stunning Concept Art Of Simon Weaner

Spectacular Award-Winning Photos That Captured the World at the Global Photography Awards 2025

Striking Black And White Photographs Of Venice Beach Eccentrics In 1984

2013 French Animal Calendar

Steve Jobs's Top 5 Hits in Pop Culture

This Fascinating Photo Project Shows How Much Family Means To Every Single One Of Us

Chinese Pencil Enthusiast Shares Her Varicolored World

An Extraordinary New Family of Spiders from Caves in the Pacific Northwest

Rock Stacking World Championship 2016

"I Asked My Friends Who The Most Beautiful Girl From Their Country Was..."

Cyberpunk 1977: An Artist Creates Superb Aesthetic Visuals of East-Europe Dystopian Dreams

Spectacular Street Photography Winners from the 2025 AAP Magazine Awards

Coffee House London by Reynolds and Reyner

Tor Alva Is The World's Tallest 3d-printed Building That Ever Exists

It's The End Of The World: Artist Steve McGhee Creates Horrific And Tragic Photo Manipulations Of Catastrophes

Extraordinary Black And White Portraits Of '60s and '70s Celebrities Taken By David Bailey