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Pair of Pattens

1720s-1730s (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Pattens were worn to lift the shoe out of the dirt and damp. Being somewhat heavy and clumsy, they were mainly used by working-class or country women.

These pattens, however, have pointed toes to fit a fashionable woman's shoe and a depression at the back where a small heel could sit. The shoe would have been fastened into the patten by means of ribbon-laced latchets. All this, and the fact that the latchets are covered in velvet, suggests that the patterns were worn by someone of considerable wealth.

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Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Patten
  • Patten
Materials and techniques
Wooden sole, iron ring, and leather latchet fastenings covered with velvet
Brief description
leather and wood, 1770-99, English; Iron supports underneath

leather and wood, 1770-99, English; Iron supports underneath
Physical description
Pair of pattens with wooden soles and iron rings
Dimensions
  • Length: 23cm
  • Height: 11cm
  • Width: 10cm
Gallery label
Label for the exhibition Shoes: Pleasure and Pain Clanking over Cobblestones This curious type of overshoe, made of a wooden base with an iron ring attached, elevated the wearer above the mud on the streets. Such footwear was an English phenomenon that contemporary eyewitnesses, mostly foreign, described as clattering when the wearer moved awkwardly around. They were generally associated with the lower classes, but this pair was probably worn by someone of genteel birth as the latchets are covered in velvet. Iron-ring pattens 1720–40 England Wood, iron, leather and velvet Given by Miss F.R. Shipley V&A: T.43&A-1932(2015-2016)
Credit line
Given by Miss F. R. Shipley
Object history
MA/1/S1600, Shipley, F. R (Miss)
Summary
Pattens were worn to lift the shoe out of the dirt and damp. Being somewhat heavy and clumsy, they were mainly used by working-class or country women.

These pattens, however, have pointed toes to fit a fashionable woman's shoe and a depression at the back where a small heel could sit. The shoe would have been fastened into the patten by means of ribbon-laced latchets. All this, and the fact that the latchets are covered in velvet, suggests that the patterns were worn by someone of considerable wealth.
Collection
Accession number
T.43&A-1932

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Record createdFebruary 20, 2003
Record URL
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