Not currently on display at the V&A

Pair of Shoes

1740-1750 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Women’s shoes of the middle decades of the 18th century featured a pointed toe with curved soles and heels. This pair is made of green silk damask and would have been fastened over the instep with silver buckles. Such a fine but flimsy material for the upper means that this pair could only be worn indoors.

Until the 19th century, shoes were not specially shaped to fit the right or left foot and the sole of each of these shoes is identically shaped.


Object details

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Shoe
  • Shoe
Materials and techniques
Wood, leather, silk, silk and linen threads, hand woven and hand sewn
Brief description
Green silk damask shoes, Great Britain, 1740s
Physical description
A pair of women's shoes with pointed toe, curved wooden heel and leather sole. The uppers are made of green silk damask with latchets for buckle fastening.
Credit line
Given by Miss Anne Thirlwall Davies and Mrs Sandra Thirlwall Jones in memory of their beloved mother, Mrs Frances Grace Davies
Summary
Women’s shoes of the middle decades of the 18th century featured a pointed toe with curved soles and heels. This pair is made of green silk damask and would have been fastened over the instep with silver buckles. Such a fine but flimsy material for the upper means that this pair could only be worn indoors.

Until the 19th century, shoes were not specially shaped to fit the right or left foot and the sole of each of these shoes is identically shaped.
Collection
Accession number
T.47:1, 2-2008

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 3, 2008
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest