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Ecclesiastical Velvet Shoes
1820s

The term 'being a square' comes from the eighteenth century 'square toes' meaning out of date or old fashioned. This term was directed at unfashionable men who were still wearing square toes when they had long gone out of fashion.*

These are too well made to be theatrical or for fancy dress. I think they have to be ecclesiastical. Have you seen anything like them before?  These are straights where there  is no left or right foot, typical of this period.

Description

Of burgandy velvet with elongated fronts, very square toes, latchets edged and tied with black velvet ribbon (modern), the tongue wide and exagerated,  edged with a narrow burgandy grosgrain ribbon, Moroccan leather heel, the tongue and sock (lining at base of shoes) lined with crimson tafetta silk, red Moroccan leather lining to the inner quarters, leather soles, straights.

Length 11 1/2 in; 29 cm

Condition

You can probably see from the photos that both long fronts have a horizontal split revealing the crimson silk taffeta lining,

The backs are very broken down, with splits

Soles are in good condition.

Comments

*The Seductive Shoe by Jonathan Walford p 22

Shoes. An illustrated History by Rebecca Shawcross p 107.