Shoe
Auguste
Category
Costume
Date
1897
Materials
Leather, silk, cellulosic fibres, metal
Measurements
115 x 77 mm; 245 mm (Length)
Place of origin
The Strand
Order this imageCollection
Smallhythe Place, Kent
NT 1118756
Summary
A pair of neo-rococo shoes, worn by Ellen Terry in the play “Madame Sans-Gêne”, directed by Irving, in 1897. They are made of leather, covered with white silk satin. The silk is embroidered with golden spangles and red chain stitches, forming a geometrical pattern of circles and garlands. The top line is covered with a pink silk taffeta ribbon on the left shoe, with a pink silk taffeta ribbon on the outer side and yellow silk taffeta ribbon on the inner side of the right shoe. The ribbon continues to the edge of the tongue and on each side of the shoes; it joins in front of the tongue to form a knot. The high, curved, French/Louis heel is covered, on the outer part, in white leather for the right shoe and in brown leather for the left one; the heel breast is in brown leather. The sole of each shoe is branded with a capital P. An oval label is glued on the brown leather insole, stating: “AUGUSTE / STRAND. LONDON / THEATRICAL / SHOE MAKER / 27 / WELLINGTON ST”. A orange paper label is glued to the sole of the right shoe, bearing the hand-written inscription: “Shoes /worn / by / Ellen Terry / in Irving / Production of / Madam Sans / Gene / April 1894 / Formerly / belonging / to her son”. The textile parts of the shoes are hand-stitched. The end of the toe box, on each shoe, has been mended with a white cotton thread. (Formerly belonged to Edward Gordon Craig).
Provenance
formerly belonged to Edward Gordon Craig
Marks and inscriptions
Shoes / worn / by / Ellen Terry / in Irvings / Production of / Madam Sans / Gene / April 1897 / formerly / belonging / to her son. (inscribed on label on sole)
Makers and roles
Auguste, shoemaker