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.