Pair of Women's Shoes
PeriodCirca 1780 - 1790
Place MadePossibly New Jersey, U.S.A.
MediumSilk, linen, leather, wood, metallic thread
Dimensions3 × 3.25 × 9 in. (7.6 × 8.3 × 22.9 cm)
ClassificationsAccessories, Women's
Credit LineMuseum Collection
Object number1993.511
DescriptionA pair of woman's shoes constructed with leather soles and low wood heels. A thin layer of leather covers the heels, with an additional layer of heavy off-white silk atop the leather. The shoe body is made of lightweight pale blue plain woven silk, lined with off-white linen, and bound with narrow hand stitched ivory silk ribbon. The fronts of both shoes are embroidered with silver metallic threads in a stylized floral and foliate pattern. The shoe's latchets are scarred from the buckle prongs used to fasten the shoes. The inner soles are of brown leather. The shoes are constructed without lasts (distinct left and right).Curatorial RemarksBased upon the shape of the shoes' heels, these shoes appear to date from the last quarter of the eighteenth century. Examination of the shoes indicates that they were worn a number of times. The latchets (straps that go across the tops of the wearer's foot) include multiple small holes in the fabric from the sharp prongs of the decorative buckles used to fasten the shoes closed. Wear can also be seen on the heels, soles, and lining. Now tarnished, the shoes originally glittered with bright silver metallic thread embroidery. The shoes are not marked, and both maker and wearer of this fashionable footwear are unknown.
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