A pair of flat, dark leather shoes, Egyptian, ca. AD300-500 (possibly). Decorated in gold leaf.

A pair of flat shoes of dark leather. Egyptian, ca. AD300-500 (possibly). Pointed toe and round heel. Turned technique. Sole: Straight. Scoring pattern on perimeter of sole and down centre. Treadsole and insole stitched with fibre (?) cord. Arch of sole is pronounced. Upper: Gilded decoration of geometric patterns (lozenges, triangles, diamonds, stars) and waves over vamp. Vamp instep ends in a sharp point and is decorated with a central circular form (shield?) and tied like a bow with a curled line. There is a stylized bull standing on something (?) either side or it is a larger and smaller bull below it. Vamp ends in a starburst pattern at toes. Quarters’ top turned over and hemmed with a ship stitch and decorated with vertical lines all round with a row of lozenges, diamonds and triangles below. Heel has a defined area, under a semi-circle, containing a star either side of the backseam, and a row around the semi-circle of triangles and diamonds (sunburst). Fishtail tabbed heel. Decoration not visible in all places. Probably coated in an unknown substance post excavation as is sticky to touch with residue leached into its wrapping paper.

Acquired by D.B. Myers.

A pair of flat, dark leather shoes, Egyptian, ca. AD300-500 (possibly). Decorated in gold leaf. Made using the turned 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.

862-1903