Pair of Chopines
ca. 1580-1620 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This type of backless shoe or slipper had various names. They were known as chopines, and in England they were sometimes called pantobles, or even mules. This pair is a more modest version of the impossibly tall chopines that were fashionable in Venice in the 16th century (see Museum nos. T.48 and T48a-1914). One of the pair is seen on the left of the image. They are made of cork covered with a fashionable 17th century silk damask. This was possibly added at a slightly later date. They have a long ribbon that ties round the wearer's calf and ankle. Elizabeth I had pairs of leather pantobles made for her that were open at the toes, like the examples you see here.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Cork and silk damask, with stamped decoration on the insole |
| Brief description | F, Spanish, 1580-1620, wood, leather, covered with green silk damask F, Spanish, 1580-1620, wood, leather, covered with green silk damask |
| Physical description | Pair of chopines of cork covered with silk damask. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | Label for the exhibition Shoes: Pleasure and Pain
Accessories of Privilege
Originally a form of overshoe to elevate the wearer above the muddy street, the chopine, or chapín in Spanish, was transformed into a luxury object. Spanish chapíns, jewelled and gilded and made in expensive materials, were designed to be visible below the wearer’s skirt. Signalling privilege, they were worn by both Muslim and Christian women. They caused the wearer to walk at a slow, considered pace.
Pair of chapín
1580–1620
Spain
Silk damask, leather and cork
Given by Messrs Harrods Ltd
V&A: T.419&A-1913(2015-2016) |
| Credit line | Given by Messrs Harrods Ltd. |
| Historical context | Because Spanish chopines were designed to be seen they were often made using brightly coloured luxury textiles. This pair is covered in green silk damask. The four eyelet holes, typical of Spanish design, offered another opportunity to display expensive ribbons. |
| Summary | This type of backless shoe or slipper had various names. They were known as chopines, and in England they were sometimes called pantobles, or even mules. This pair is a more modest version of the impossibly tall chopines that were fashionable in Venice in the 16th century (see Museum nos. T.48 and T48a-1914). One of the pair is seen on the left of the image. They are made of cork covered with a fashionable 17th century silk damask. This was possibly added at a slightly later date. They have a long ribbon that ties round the wearer's calf and ankle. Elizabeth I had pairs of leather pantobles made for her that were open at the toes, like the examples you see here. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.419&A-1913 |
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| Record created | February 18, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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