Objects Database

Bally Ski Boots,Skis & Poles

Accession Number

1664.2022.1(a-c)

Object Name

Bally Ski Boots,Skis & Poles

Created

14/06/2022

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

14/06/2022

Brief Description

Pair of Bally leather ski boots, wooden skis and cane poles with metal baskets and suede wrist loops.

Materials

Wood, suede, cane, leather, metal

Dimensions

Ski boots- 32(L) x 12(W) cms. Skis 200(L) x 7.5(W) cms Poles 115(L) cms

Number Of Objects

5

Inscription Description

On sole of boots”BALLY GRIP 0 MODDER”
On tongue”BALLY SPORT”
On ski bindings “TYROLIA. TRUSETAL. 11/2605”

Colour

White, brown, silver

Maker

Bally

Object Production Place

Switzerland

Provenance

‘Muckle’ would be a good way to describe these boots - big and chunky for those not acquainted with the Scots vernacular, though as they were made in Switzerland we need something a little more continental!
Bally started life in 1851, making boots and shoes in a place called Schonenwerd in the Solothurn Canton. A vast array of footwear has appeared over the ensuing decades including boots for Sherpa Tensing on the successful 1953 Everest Expedition and ski boots for gold medal winners at the St Moritz Winter Olympics in 1948.
No surprise then that Archie MacFarlane of Spean Bridge, Scotland, acquired a pair of Bally’s to go with his skis and poles. He got a lot of use out of them too by the look of them…beautifully made and well used.
We can’t find a maker’s name on the skis though they have an odd binding with a Tyrolia/ Trusetal mix. The poles are standard 1950/60’s style with the boots and skis from the same era..
Thanks to David MacFarlane for donating them on behalf of the family.

Acquisition Method

Donated by David MacFarlane

Acquisition Date

14/06/2022

Condition Check Date

14/06/2022

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

14/06/2022

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