Two (2). Canadian or American. Last half 19th century. Iron. An attractive and unusual pair of hand-forged iron ice skates, the blades with upturned toes. There are two attachment points for leather straps (not present). Interestingly, the blades are extra wide and channeled out, forming a double edged blade. In the US there were about 200 ice-skate patents issued in the third quarter of the 19th century. Although this may suggest that skates were largely factory produced during the last half of the century, many were probably handmade in remote areas. Excellent. Minor corrosion. See Primitives and Folk Art (Thuro, p.106). From the Catherine Thuro Collection. 4.5"H x 13"W x 4.25"D.