English Leather Shoes
1790s

A beautiful elegant shape. The long pointed toe made the foot look longer and narrower. Why does'nt a shoe designer reproduce these. I would love to wear them.

A nice conservation project.

 

Description

Pointed black kidskin toes with rounded small heels, slanting side seams and back seam, lined with natural cotton, leather soles.

8 1/2 in; 22 cm heel to toe

2 in; 5 cm heels

Condition

Amazingly the pointed toes are in very good shape, just a slight scuff at the very end. Very slight crazing to the kid.  One small hole to top of one heel. The narrow black silk ribbon edging to the sides and round the circumference of the shoe is missing, revealing stitching and the fine gathering cord which would have given the very top shape, is still there on both shoes. A conservator would need to find a fine black silk ribbon to conserve these. Over to you.

Comments

*The Seductive Shoe Jonathan Walford p 48

An Agreeable Tyrant. Fashion after the Revolution by  Alden O'Brien. p 160

Footwear Alan and Vanessa Hopkins p 30