A pair of women's shoes, 1720-40, British; Embroidered pink satin with applied silver-gilt braid, heeled

A pair of women's shoes of pink satin with medium heel and upwards pointed, curving toe. The quarters and sides of the upper are embroidered with blanket stitch in parallel lines echoing the shape of the shoe. A wide strip of woven lace (braid) with yellow silk warp and silver-gilt thread weft is applied on the centre of the upper. The sole is brown leather and the wooden heel is covered with the pink satin, embroidered in satin stitch in a diaper pattern. The edges of the upper and quarter are bound with pink silk grosgrain ribbon. The tongue is lined with yellow silk taffeta. The latchets have no eyelets or holes for ribbon and appear too short for buckles.

Given by Miss C. E. Keddle

Ladies could have worn richly trimmed or embroidered shoes such as these with several different garments. Indoor shoes for women were usually made of patterned silk although it was very rare for them to match the fabric of the gown worn with them. The criss-cross and parallel lines of embroidery look like the designs on quilted petticoats that women wore with the fashionable open-fronted gowns. Broad bands of silver-gilt braid became popular in the 1730s and 1740s. These shoes would have been fastened with a buckle. The toe curves upwards rather like the prow of a ship.

230&A-1908