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Pair of Shoes

ca. 1700 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This pair of fashionable and elegant women's shoes are made of plain leather. This is rather unusual, as shoemakers more commonly used plain leather for working women's shoes. The red leather heel contrasts with the dark upper. From 1675-1700 shoemakers used pointed toes for women's shoes only. This was the first major difference between fashionable footwear for men and women. Towards the end of the 17th century the pointed toe became slightly upturned, as you can see here. The white vellum rand and shaped heel were also fashionable at the time. The rand was a narrow strip of leather the shoemaker placed between the upper and the sole of the shoe.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Shoe
  • Shoe
Materials and techniques
Leather with vellum rand; modern ribbon added for the latchet fastening
Brief description
F, c1700, English; Black leather with red leather heel

F, c1700, English; Black leather with red leather heel
Physical description
Pair of women's leather shoes with pointed toe and latchet and ribbon fastening.
Dimensions
  • Of heel height: 7cm
  • Width: 7.5cm
  • Length: 22.5cm
  • Maximum height: 14cm
  • Height: 140mm
  • Width: 75mm
  • Depth: 230mm
Summary
This pair of fashionable and elegant women's shoes are made of plain leather. This is rather unusual, as shoemakers more commonly used plain leather for working women's shoes. The red leather heel contrasts with the dark upper. From 1675-1700 shoemakers used pointed toes for women's shoes only. This was the first major difference between fashionable footwear for men and women. Towards the end of the 17th century the pointed toe became slightly upturned, as you can see here. The white vellum rand and shaped heel were also fashionable at the time. The rand was a narrow strip of leather the shoemaker placed between the upper and the sole of the shoe.
Collection
Accession number
1124&A-1901

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Record createdFebruary 19, 2003
Record URL
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