Rare, unusual and interesting antique costumes and textiles; for museums and collectors looking for that extra special piece, for new and established collectors and for those with a modest budget who want to adorn their person or home.

Pontifical Sandals/Shoes
19th c

These shoes belonged to Sir Phlip Morrell ( 1870-1943) a Liberal MP married Lady Ottoline Cavendish-Bentinck (1773 - 1938 )in 1902. She was an English aristocrat and society hostess. The couple shared a passion for art and a strong interest in Liberal politics.  They honeymooned in Italy, returning repeatedly over the subsequent years of their marriage. It was one of the places where they purchased clothes, fabric, and beautiful objects for their home. They bought Garsington Manor near Oxford as their weekend retreat where they entertained the famous.



Shawn Tribe kindly gave me the following information. Pontifical sandals, (because originally they were sandals worn with socks), traditionally worn by prelates (bishops, cardinals and popes mainly, but also some other minor prelates like abbots, etc. that had these privileges) at solemn liturgies. They would match the colour of the liturgical vestments.


Cataloguing

The raspberry red silk grosgrain woven with metallic silver threads, the latchets tied with pink cotton ribbon ending with silver bullion tassels, the latchets, tongue and back edged with gold braid, very shallow heel, the leather sole with a white leather rand, lined in soft white leather.



Toe to heel 11 in; 28 cm


Condition

Whether Morell wore the shoes we do not know. They are in remarkably good condition, so probably only for occasional wear.  The inside leather is a little marked as are the soles.


Comments

collections.mfa.org/objects/122217



liturgicalartsjournal.com/2020/01/some-examples-of-eighteenth-century.html



wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Ottoline_Morrellhttps://www.parcel2go.com/services/send-a-parcel?


Price: on request