Shoes

Unknown

1690–1729 · silk, metal · Costume Institute

Consistent with late Baroque taste, the embroidery on this pair of ladies' latchet shoes is extremely robust, three-dimensional and complex, utilizing numerous different forms of metallic cord and bullion lace. This would have been augmented by a large buckle, likely set with paste or real jewels. As the century progressed, the softer French Rococo style would superseed this taste as French styles in general increasingly influenced British fashion. The extreme point toe seen in this example is an element which persisted from the late 17th century, and is paired here with the lower, stockier heel typical of British shoes from the early 18th century.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1690–1729

Medium

silk, metal

Culture

probably British

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Herman Delman, 1954