Pair of Shoes thumbnail 1
Pair of Shoes thumbnail 2
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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Fashion, Room 40

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.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Shoe
  • Shoe
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
  • Height: 16cm
  • Width: 8cm
  • Depth: 18cm
Gallery label
Label for the exhibition Shoes: Pleasure and Pain The Powerful Mistress Madame de Pompadour was the official mistress of King Louis XV and a leader of fashion. She helped to popularise this style of shoe in which the heel is placed directly under the instep. The sensuously curving and precariously high 10.5 cm heel made the foot look petite but it also made the wearer totter dangerously, as it gave no proper support. Pompadour’ shoes 1750–60 France Brocaded silk, silk damask and leather; silver and pastes (glass) Given by Messrs Harrods Ltd V&A: T.423&A-1913 (shoes); T.437&B-1913 (buckles)(2015-2016)
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 createdFebruary 21, 2003
Record URL
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