Not currently on display at the V&A

Shoe

ca. AD700-1000 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Piece of leather probably from an ankle shoe, Egyptian, ca. AD700-1000 (possibly). Acquired from D.B. Myers.

Coptic footwear was primarily made with leather, often using the turned technique, to produce a slipper or shoe with a straight sole. Slippers often included a rand at the vamp and a fibre padded sole sewn together with prominent stitching or insole tab. They show variation in the form and height of the instep. Shoes were generally slip-ons and also show variation in the form and height of the instep. Footwear was highly decorated in geometric and floral designs. Often a variety of techniques were used in combination, with the most popular being dyeing, gilding, openwork and appliqué.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Tanned leather
Brief description
Piece of leather probably from an ankle shoe, Egyptian, ca. AD700-1000 (possibly).
Physical description
A piece of leather. Probably the ankle piece to 846A-1903. Poor condition with white spotted residue. Circular piece sewn together with intermediate strip of leather at backseam.
Dimensions
  • Top band diameter: 110mm
  • Backseam height: 70mm
Style
Object history
Acquired from D.B. Myers.
Summary
Piece of leather probably from an ankle shoe, Egyptian, ca. AD700-1000 (possibly). Acquired from D.B. Myers.

Coptic footwear was primarily made with leather, often using the turned technique, to produce a slipper or shoe with a straight sole. Slippers often included a rand at the vamp and a fibre padded sole sewn together with prominent stitching or insole tab. They show variation in the form and height of the instep. Shoes were generally slip-ons and also show variation in the form and height of the instep. Footwear was highly decorated in geometric and floral designs. Often a variety of techniques were used in combination, with the most popular being dyeing, gilding, openwork and appliqué.
Bibliographic reference
See R. Smalley, "Dating Coptic Footwear: A Typological and Comparative Approach", Journal of Coptic Studies 14 (2012): 97-135
Collection
Accession number
872-1903

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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