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.
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.
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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 |
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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 created | February 20, 2003 |
Record URL |
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