Not currently on display at the V&A

Pair of Shoes

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

An incomplete pair of flat, red leather, child's shoes, Egyptian, ca. AD700-1000 (possibly). Made with the welted technique. 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

Category
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Shoe
  • Shoe
Materials and techniques
Tanned leather
Brief description
An incomplete pair of flat, red leather, child's shoes, Egyptian, ca. AD700-1000 (possibly).
Physical description
A child’s flat, red leather pair of shoes. Egyptian, ca. AD700-1000 (possibly). Semi-pointed toe and round heel. Welted construction. Sole: Swayed. White layers showing through at tread and waist. Stitching and cord around treadsole perimeter mostly remains and on topside perimeter where sole attaches to upper.
Style
Object history
Acquired from D.B. Myers.
Summary
An incomplete pair of flat, red leather, child's shoes, Egyptian, ca. AD700-1000 (possibly). Made with the welted technique. 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
857-1903

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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