Pair of Shoes
1790s (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Shoe styles gradually became simpler during the 1780s, a change that was accelerated by the French Revolution. Conspicuous symbols of wealth, such as the extravagant buckles and high heels of earlier shoes, were no longer appropriate.
Women's shoes were also known as slippers. This pair is typical in having broad flattish heels, long pointed toes and a low U-shaped throat (other examples have a V-shaped throat). Simple but elegant, they were made from a wide range of beautiful coloured leathers.
The label refers to a 'Ladies’ cheap warehouse for shoes'. This suggests that the shoes were available to a fairly wide public.
Women's shoes were also known as slippers. This pair is typical in having broad flattish heels, long pointed toes and a low U-shaped throat (other examples have a V-shaped throat). Simple but elegant, they were made from a wide range of beautiful coloured leathers.
The label refers to a 'Ladies’ cheap warehouse for shoes'. This suggests that the shoes were available to a fairly wide public.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Leather |
| Brief description | F, leather, 1780-1799, English F, leather, 1780-1799, English |
| Physical description | Pair of women's shoes with pointed toes |
| Marks and inscriptions | (Label; 'EDWD.Hogg Ladies Cheap Shoe Warehouse. 25 Jermyn Street St James's LONDON; Label on the insole) |
| Gallery label | Affordable Fashion (Object No. 17)
17. Pair of shoes
1790–1800
London
Leather, silk and linen
Given by Messrs Harrods Ltd
V&A: T.481&A-1913
From the 1780s, fashionable shoe styles became simpler, making it easier to produce cheaper imitations. The label inside this pair of shoes refers to a warehouse for ladies’ cheap shoes in Jermyn Street in London. Ready-made shoes of inferior quality like these made luxury styles available to a wider public, much as low cost high-street brands do today. |
| Credit line | Given by Messrs Harrods Ltd. |
| Summary | Shoe styles gradually became simpler during the 1780s, a change that was accelerated by the French Revolution. Conspicuous symbols of wealth, such as the extravagant buckles and high heels of earlier shoes, were no longer appropriate. Women's shoes were also known as slippers. This pair is typical in having broad flattish heels, long pointed toes and a low U-shaped throat (other examples have a V-shaped throat). Simple but elegant, they were made from a wide range of beautiful coloured leathers. The label refers to a 'Ladies’ cheap warehouse for shoes'. This suggests that the shoes were available to a fairly wide public. |
| Associated objects | |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.481&A-1913 |
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| Record created | February 25, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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