Shoe prototype
The Osgood collection comprises 179 objects, chiefly fashionable Italian-made women's shoes dating from the years 1954 to 1958. The shoes were collected by Charline Osgood, Director of the Kid Leather Guild, a trade organization of American kid leather manufacturers. Highlighting the use of kid leather in footwear, the collection provides a fascinating and enticing view of high-style European shoe design from the period, representing many of the finest and most inventive Italian makers.
This prototype was made up to highlight Leather's Best caramel kidskin in all its lustrous glory. The detailing on this shoe is extremely refined, sophisticated and delicate. An additional layer of interest is provided by the textural contrast between the patent leather, topstitching and perforations. The last features a very extreme version of the elongated narrow toe prevalent at the time, its attenuated lines accentuated by the swooping cut of the quarters.
This prototype was made up to highlight Leather's Best caramel kidskin in all its lustrous glory. The detailing on this shoe is extremely refined, sophisticated and delicate. An additional layer of interest is provided by the textural contrast between the patent leather, topstitching and perforations. The last features a very extreme version of the elongated narrow toe prevalent at the time, its attenuated lines accentuated by the swooping cut of the quarters.
Artwork Details
- Title: Shoe prototype
- Designer: Mondial Shoe
- Manufacturer: Textile by Leather's Best
- Date: 1955–58
- Culture: Italian
- Medium: leather, wood
- Credit Line: Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Charline Osgood, 1960
- Object Number: 2009.300.3216
- Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Mondial Shoe
Leather's Best
1955–58
Mondial Shoe
Leather's Best
1955–58
Mondial Shoe
Leather's Best
1955–58
Mondial Shoe
Leather's Best
1955–58
Mondial Shoe
Leather's Best
1955–58
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.