Shoe

A pair of women's tie shoes, which would have been expensive when they were first made. The uppers are made of white leather and embellished with green silk braid, and a wide gold briad down that centre, now tarsnished, which woud have glittered gold in the light. Their high qulaity and luxurious materials meant they were only worn indoors.

Catalogue details: Upper of white leather and green stitched green silk braid applique and binding; green braid forms three-sided box on quarters, curving round onto vamp, around open sides at waist. A broad band of gold braid of 58mm wide runs from the centre front from toe to latchet level with double wavy line and stylized flower pattern. Black leather covered heel. Shallow, forked toe; 38mm unused length; pleated at corners of the toe; 38mm reinforcement, brown leather toe puff inside for strength and stiffening. Louis heel 64mm high; white stitched; white kid top-piece to prevent slipping on wooden floors; hole in top-piece, probably for peg in centre. Straight sole; worn indoors; originally had a rough finish; 1+2+1 nail holes; brown edge finish to channel. Rand construction, white kid; white stitched; stitched in channel on sole. Long vamp extended into high flared tongue; short quarters extended into square latchets to tie over tongue; lace missing. White leather strip of 9mm wide (different from rest of shoe leather) with original 17th century stitching; stitched to left latchet on each; total length 115mm; tapered to a point each end. The straps have a buckle spike hole in one, two holes in the other, near the centre. This means the shoes have been converted to use with a buckle; probably using one with a stud type chape. Strap has green braid trim around perimeter, white stitched. Oblique side seams, single row of stitching and cross stitching, and on back seam; small open sides. One shoe has additional tie hole on right side and the other is towards the bottom of the open side. Origin not identified. Felted white wool lining with braid attaching stitches. Brown leather insole (probably arrow shaped toe to form puff) with original nail holes. White kid side linings from puff; tan kid side linings on other shoe, both to near back seam. No sign of customer's name, no sizing.