Pair of Shoes
ca. 1650s-1660s (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This pair of women's mules or backless slippers is very stylish. They are made of rich velvet embroidered with silver-gilt thread. From about 1550 to 1700, domestic embroidery became very fashionable and mules were often decorated in this way. This pair have a medium heel and a square, slightly overhanging toe. This makes them typical of luxury indoor wear for women in about the middle of the 17th century. A similar pair of mules was made for Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Velvet embroidered with silver-gilt thread, lined with leather |
| Brief description | Pair of shoes of embroidered velvet, England, ca. 1650s-1660s |
| Physical description | Pair of women's shoes (mules) of red velvet embroidered with couched and raised silver-gilt thread in a design of birds facing a plant form flanked by floral decoration. The vamp is lined in leather and the sole has an inner lining of white leather. The heel insole is covered with red velvet. The heels are of leather and medium height. The toes are square. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label |
|
| Object history | MA/1/B1286 Bethel, Mrs Joan De ( Purchased by the V&A from Mrs de Bethel who found them at a jumble sale in the 70s) |
| Summary | This pair of women's mules or backless slippers is very stylish. They are made of rich velvet embroidered with silver-gilt thread. From about 1550 to 1700, domestic embroidery became very fashionable and mules were often decorated in this way. This pair have a medium heel and a square, slightly overhanging toe. This makes them typical of luxury indoor wear for women in about the middle of the 17th century. A similar pair of mules was made for Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of Charles I. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.631&A-1972 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | February 19, 2003 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
