Fashion — 1850-1851
Boot, performance costume boot
One of a pair of ankle boots which form part of a suit of stage armour worn by the actor Charles Kean in the role of Hotspur in Shakespeare's Henry IV part one. The suit of polished leather on a foundation of red cloth consists of a sleeved doublet, trousers, gauntlets, ankle-boots and damask tunic with the armorial bearings of Percy of Northumberland.
The costume dates from the 1850s when Charles was co-manager of the Princess's Theatre in London where he produced a series of Shakespearian plays that aimed for 'authenticity'. The accuracy of the heraldry on the surcoat and the armour are indications of the actor's insistence on historical accuracy.
- Category:
- Fashion
- Object ID:
- 35.135i
- Object name:
- boot, performance costume boot
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- 1850-1851
- Material:
leather, textile, metal, paper, ink
- Measurements/duration:
- H 145 mm, H 21 mm (heel), L 287 mm, W 90 mm (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 60%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection
- Copyright holder:
digital image © London Museum
- Image credit:
- —
- Creative commons usage:
- CC BY-NC 4.0
- License this image:
To license this image for commercial use, please contact the London Museum Picture Library.
Download image file
You are welcome to download and use this image for free under Creative Commons Licence CC BY-NC 4.0.
Credit: London Museum
To licence this image for commercial use please contact the London Museum Picture Library

Download image file
You are welcome to download and use this image for free under Creative Commons Licence CC BY-NC 4.0.
Credit: London Museum
To licence this image for commercial use please contact the London Museum Picture Library

Download image file
You are welcome to download and use this image for free under Creative Commons Licence CC BY-NC 4.0.
Credit: London Museum
To licence this image for commercial use please contact the London Museum Picture Library

Download image file
You are welcome to download and use this image for free under Creative Commons Licence CC BY-NC 4.0.
Credit: London Museum
To licence this image for commercial use please contact the London Museum Picture Library
