Pair of child’s leg supports, possibly French, 1601-1650

Designed to support the legs, rather than as artificial substitute, these iron supports were designed for a small child. Each leg support consists of a metal encasing the leg. This was secured by three straps: two on the lower leg and one on the lower thigh. The straps were metal or leather and attached via buckles. The supports may have been used to straighten legs damaged due to skeletal deformity or disease such as rickets. Rickets is a lack of minerals and vitamins causing the limbs to become twisted and bent. maker: Unknown maker Place made: France