Woman's Shoes
ShoemakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1780
MediumHand-stitched painted silk damask, silk tape, wood, and leather
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth): 4 x 3 x 8 1/4in. (10.2 x 7.6 x 21cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Horatio Fitch
DescriptionWomen's shoes made of the remains of a military standard, or flag, of red silk damask, painted in gold and black. The remnants of the painted design show letters on a banner: "OIT" on one shoe, and an "N" on the other, along with decorative swirls. The shoes have a pointed oval toe and a small Louis heel, covered in white silk damask. The leather sole is continuous over the front of the heel. Two latchets crossing the vamp of the shoe would have buckled. The silk is lined with plain-woven linen, as is the inside of the sole. The silk is bound with cream-colored silk tape, which is mostly missing--revealing a hastily whipstitched edge. The tongue is pointed and the side seam is straight.
Object number1843.13.0a-b
InscribedHand-written on the bottom of each shoe, "Presented by / Mrs. Horatio Fitch".NotesHistorical Note: According to museum records, these shoes were made about 1780, from a military flag carried in the Revolutionary War.Subject Terms
On View
Not on view
