These were clearly for an older lady who required a comfortable shoe rather than one with a fashionable high heel. These are therefore extremely unusual for being flats and must have looked stunning peeping out from under the wearer's skirt. The precious and expensive fabric was probably left over from furnishing.
March 2021 - I think these were male. Similar pair but brocade in Bata Shoe Museum.
the mid green fine ribbed silk embroidered with coral and green shaded fine twisted silks, highlighted and couched with flat silver stripes and rolled silver silk covered thread, edged with finely ribbed ribbon, the tongue lined with silk over linen and the inner sides and backs in chamois, the sold of heavy leather, all hand sewn, 8 1/2 in; 22 cm; 2 3/4 in; 7.5 cm widest sole, the heels 50 cm high.
The centre back vertical ribbon has split and needs conserving. They need a little shaping at the back heel area. Slightly grubby. Some of the silver wrapped silk threads are coming away on one shoe, but could easily be couched down. The other shoe they are missing.
Shoes. Pratt, Lucy and Woolley, Linda. p 39 Plate 16.
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