Shoes

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.