A pair of red leather shoes, ca. AD300-500, Egyptian, Akhmim (probably); Gilded with gold leaf geometric design.

An incomplete, flat pair of shoe of red leather. Egyptian, ca. AD 300-500 (probably). Round toe and round heel. Fair condition.Turned technique. Sole: Straight. Intentional scored lines on sole, down centre line and round sides, which overcross at one point. Composed of sole and insole stitched with fibre cord. Upper: Decoration is around topband and in a line across vamp. A central circular design of a stylized, squared cross is surrounded by a black and gold circular strip. Decoration around top of quarters, out from circle, is a small row of squares on a thin black strip of stain, and larger squares with small triangles below. The larger squares have had corners cut off. The vamp ends over instep with circular knop with one circular knob either side. The toe end of vamp has a triangle. Quarters' top is turned over and sew with whip stitch.

Objects 2-1888 to 9-1888 bought together for £12, from Henry Wallis.

A pair of red leather shoes, ca. A D300-700 (probably), Egyptian. Made using the turned technique. Gilded with gold leaf geometric design. This pair were acquired from H. Wallis Esq.

Coptic footwear was generally made of leather, primarily 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.

4-1888