Pair of Shoes thumbnail 1
Pair of Shoes thumbnail 2
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Pair of Shoes

1855-1865 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Shoes with high heels were almost non-existent in women's fashions during the first part of the nineteenth century. Instead simple flat satin slippers or 'sandals' with a bow or rosette at the throat and ribbons or elastic loops to fasten them round the ankle were all the rage. However, by the 1850's the heel had begun to make a comeback.

This elegant pair of blue and white low-heeled shoes illustrates how the sandal form evolved. The satin upper with square toe and throat, decorative rosette and elastic ties are all features reminiscent of the dainty flat shoes of the early nineteenth century. However, with the addition of a small heel and some striped decoration the form is updated to something more in keeping with modern tastes.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Shoe
  • Shoe
Materials and techniques
Silk satin with rosettes, ribbons and elastic sewn with cotton thread
Brief description
Pair of women's shoes, white satin trimmed with blue silk ribbon and rosette, low heel; British, Latham, 1850s-1860s
Physical description
Pair of women's court shoes, white silk satin pumps with with single rear seam at heel; vamp decorated with strips of blue satin ribbon, large blue and white silk ribbon rosette at throat; edges bound with blue silk; loops of elastic attached to edges just back from throat; small blue satin covered heel and brown leather sole; cream leather insole and quarter lining, cream coarse linen lining to vamp.
Dimensions
  • Each shoe length: 23.3cm
  • Each shoe width: 6cm
  • Each shoe height: 8.5cm
Marks and inscriptions
Left shoe inscribed in black ink on inner side of leather lining, '6438'.
Gallery label
(2015)
16.Stripy silk shoes with square heels
1855–65
England, Latham
Silk satin, silk, cotton and leather
Given by Messrs Harrods Ltd
V&A: T.562&A-1913
(2007)
White satin shoe with appliquéd blue ribbons and rosette
Latham, Oxford Street, London, about 1860
Museum number: T.562-1913
Given by Messrs. Harrods Ltd
Credit line
Given by Messrs Harrods Ltd.
Production
Latham were based at 214 Oxford Street, London
Summary
Shoes with high heels were almost non-existent in women's fashions during the first part of the nineteenth century. Instead simple flat satin slippers or 'sandals' with a bow or rosette at the throat and ribbons or elastic loops to fasten them round the ankle were all the rage. However, by the 1850's the heel had begun to make a comeback.

This elegant pair of blue and white low-heeled shoes illustrates how the sandal form evolved. The satin upper with square toe and throat, decorative rosette and elastic ties are all features reminiscent of the dainty flat shoes of the early nineteenth century. However, with the addition of a small heel and some striped decoration the form is updated to something more in keeping with modern tastes.
Collection
Accession number
T.562&A-1913

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Record createdMay 16, 2007
Record URL
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