Shoe
c.1855-79 (made)
Place of origin |
Shoe with curled-up toe, red leather velvet, gold, embroidered,
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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Materials and techniques | Red leather and velvet embroidered with gold thread |
Brief description | Shoe (ghatela) of red leather, velvet and gold embroidery with curled-up toe; India, c.1855-79 |
Physical description | Shoe with curled-up toe, red leather velvet, gold, embroidered, |
Dimensions |
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Gallery label | Label for the exhibition Shoes: Pleasure and Pain
Sitting Down Shoes
The turned-up toe found in northern India, was taken to its extreme in these ghatela. The fantastic long curved toes curl back over the foot and measure about 20 cm in length. The gold decoration and impractical design of the shoes denotes their purpose as visual signifiers of wealth and status.
The wearer would only manoeuvre short distances, shuffling forward on their heels.
Men’s ghatela
1855–79
India
Leather, velvet, metal thread
embroidery and brass
V&A: 6749, 6779(IS)(2015-2016) |
Object history | On display in the V&A exhibition, Shoes: Pleasure and Pain between 13 June 2015 – 31 January 2016. |
Collection | |
Accession number | 6749(IS) |
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Record created | June 25, 2009 |
Record URL |
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