Pair of Shoes
1730s (weaving), 1750s (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This pair of women's shoes is notable for their sensuously curving French heels. The style was called ‘Pompadour’ after Madame de Pompadour, mistress of the Louis XV. The heel, placed directly under the instep, made the foot look small. This was considered highly desirable, but it also made the walker totter dangerously as it gave no proper support.
The uppers are covered in brocaded silk from Lyons, dating from the 1730s, and the heel in silk damask. The shoes have a small buckle fastening.
The uppers are covered in brocaded silk from Lyons, dating from the 1730s, and the heel in silk damask. The shoes have a small buckle fastening.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
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| Materials and techniques | Uppers of brocaded silk, heels covered with silk damask, leather sole and heel, trimmed with silk ribbon |
| Brief description | Pair of women's shoes, 1750s, probably French; made of brocaded silk, 1730s, Lyons |
| Physical description | Pair of high heeled women's shoes of brocaded silk. Leather sole and heel, uppers of brocaded silk and the heels covered with silk damask. Trimmed with silk ribbon |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Given by Messrs Harrods Ltd. |
| Summary | This pair of women's shoes is notable for their sensuously curving French heels. The style was called ‘Pompadour’ after Madame de Pompadour, mistress of the Louis XV. The heel, placed directly under the instep, made the foot look small. This was considered highly desirable, but it also made the walker totter dangerously as it gave no proper support. The uppers are covered in brocaded silk from Lyons, dating from the 1730s, and the heel in silk damask. The shoes have a small buckle fastening. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.423&A-1913 |
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| Record created | February 21, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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