Shoes
The very bold, colorful, and finely worked flame stitch upper is an immediate eye-catcher on this pair of latchet shoes. A common embroidery style, flame stitch canvas work is preserved in many specimens from the period, although this example has an unusual level of variety in the pattern. The evolution of the fashionable silhouette can be seen in comparison with another pair of flame stitch shoes in the collection (2009.300.1411a, b). In this later example, we can notice the higher and more upright heel, the blunter and less upturned toe, the flatter sole, and the lower throat. A further development is seen in the absence of the metallic braid trimming the center of the vamp, which had fallen out of favor by this time. The printed silk heel is extremely unusual, as printed silks were not common and practically never used for footwear.
Artwork Details
- Title: Shoes
- Date: 1750–69
- Culture: British
- Medium: wool, linen, silk
- Credit Line: Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Mrs. Clarence R. Hyde, 1928
- Object Number: 2009.300.1407a, b
- 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.
Anna Maria Garthwaite
Peter Lekeux
1747
British
1740s
British
1615–20
British
ca. 1760
British
ca. 1760
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.