Shoe

These woman’s shoes are covered with two cotton twills used in contrasting colours of beige and cream. The edges are bound with ivory silk braid while the centre front, or vamp, has narrow decoration of silver-gilt thread and spangles. This is quite a sophisticated way of using a cheap material. The shoes were probably made in an upper class style for a middle class customer to create an affordable version of high fashion. The label in the white kid lining in one shoe reads, 'Ellis/Ladies Shoe Maker/No 31/Poland Street/Oxford Street'.The only known London shoemaker called Ellis around the time was a Michael Ellis working from 'The Sign of the Boot, Cannon Street' in the 1760's. The other shoe has, 'Mrs Corter/160' written in brown ink, probably referring to the customer.