Shoe
Date1730-1740
OriginEngland
MediumBrocaded Silk (Exterior), Linen (Lining), Brown Leather (Insole and Outsole); White Kid Leather (Lining); Green Silk Tape (Edging); Silk Thread (Construction)
DimensionsLength: 9 1/8" ; Width: 3"; Height: 5"; Heel Height: 2 1/4"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1968-645,1
DescriptionWoman's shoe constructed from silk polychrome brocade in a varying floral motifs of cream, green, light green, salmon, red, brown, purple, and blue on a cream ground, bound with green ribbed silk ribbon. Shoe has pointed toe with a slight upturn at the tip and latchets with rounded ends for buckling across the instep with a removable buckle. Hand-worked buttonhole towards base of one latchet on each shoe in dark green thread. High, squared tongue and white rand. Heel, 2 1/4" high, is shaped and covered with matching fabric. Leather lining and plain-woven linen lining, 48 X 50 threads per inch.The silk brocades used in the shoe construction appear to be from two different silk designs. The color shades are similar though the patterns differ. The silk used on the quarters, latchets, and heels is a denser pattern composed of pinks, blues, creams, and salmon on a cream ground. Small flowers, geometric designs, and fanciful embellishments compose the figures. Additionally, the nature of the fabric is thicker, with a more prominent weft-running rib and a slightly rougher quality to the overal fabric. The brocade on the vamp and tongue of the shoe is composed of greens and creams with a blush-color pink. The floral figures are larger (with only some areas of small sprigs of green flowers) and more spread out, leaving more ground exposed. The quality of the fabric appears to be lighter than the fabric used on the heel, quarters, and latchets.
Construction History:
1. 1730-1740: Initially Constructed; Silk possibly earlier (ca. 1720)
2. Unknown Date: Single buttonhole added to one latchet on each shoe in dark green thread with buttonhole stitch. In same thread, the horizontal seams where the latchets attach to the mean body of the shoe has been stitched down in this same dark green thread.
