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Gift of Hannah Whittlesey, 1840.7.1a,b  Photograph by Gavin Ashworth.  © 2009 The Connecticut H…
Woman's Shoes
Gift of Hannah Whittlesey, 1840.7.1a,b Photograph by Gavin Ashworth. © 2009 The Connecticut Historical Society.
Photographs and all rights purchased by the Connecticut Historical Society.

Woman's Shoes

Original Owner (American, 1713 - 1773)
Shoemaker (American, 1713 - 1773)
Dateabout 1746
MediumHand-stitched and embroidered silk and metallic threads on silk and linen, leather, and wood
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth): 4 3/4 x 3 1/8 x 9in. (12.1 x 7.9 x 22.9cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Hannah Whittlesey
DescriptionWhite silk shoes, embroidered in silk and metallic threads with stylized floral designs. The shoes have slightly upturned, pointed toes and a Louis heel. Two tabs extending up the sides are punched for a ribbon tie. The tongue is wide and square. A white kid rand is stitched between the sole and the upper around the vamp of each shoe. The leather sole is continuous over the front of the heel. The heels are covered with white silk satin. The shoes are straight, not right and left. A silk tape binds the edges of the upper.

The silk embroidery is worked through the plain-woven linen lining. The stitches include long-and-short, outline, couching, and French knots. Each toe is worked with a thistle, from which emanates a stylized iris flower with a green frond curving over it. Other flowers include carnations and less identifiable species. Colors include pink, blue, red, and green in the silk, and gold metallic thread.
Object number1840.7.1a,b
On View
Not on view
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