Shoe, woman's

Description

One of a pair of woman's shoes in the slap soled style, white kid uppers originally embroidered in black silk across the foot front: probably Italian, 1660 - 1670

Museum reference

K.2002.1030 A

Collection

Fashion and Textiles

Object name

Shoe, woman's

Production information

Unknown
Italy, Southern Europe

Date

1660 - 1670

Materials

Leather, Silk

Physical description

One of a pair of woman's shoes in the slap soled style, white kid uppers originally embroidered in black silk across the foot front, now disintegrated. Shoe is shaped with a long square toe and high heel, which rests on a flat leather platform extending back from the forefoot. Platform, or 'slap sole' is shaped to reflect the contours of the shoe above, and is covered in white kid leather. Shoe heel is covered in white kid leather with a seam down the centre back. The vamp or shoe front has a tongue and two lachets at each side with eyelet holes, the latchets were probably originally fastened across the front with ribbon ties. Embroidered area of the shoe upper is an applied leather piece, embroidered design originally floral motifs. Shoes are lined with white kid, the insole is brown leather: probably Italian, 1660 - 1670.

Associations

Previous owner: Mary, Queen of Scots, 1542 - 1587
R.K. Watson WS

Exhibitions

• Fashion and Style (08 Jul 2016)
  National Museum of Scotland

References

June M. Swann, Slap-soled Shoe, Obuv v Historii, The Shoe in History, 1994

Naomi Tarrant, The Development of Costume, 1994