Shoe
Category
Costume
Date
1804 - 1878
Materials
Silk, linen, leather, metal (sequins), metallic threads
Measurements
55 x 108 x 283 mm
Order this imageCollection
Smallhythe Place, Kent
NT 1118760
Summary
Pair of masculine red velvet pumps with serrated throat trimmed with gilt braid and blue taffeta ribbon with appliquéd gilt trimming and metal spangles across the vamp. Worn by Samuel Phelps (1804 - 1878) as 'Shylock' in Shakespeare's 'MERCHANT OF VENICE' circa 1837. The shoes are made of red cotton and silk ground, and silk (?) pile velvet with bilateral and rear seam at heel. Plain weave undyed linen (?) lined vamps, and green leather lined quarters with stiffened rear of the foot. Brown leather flat sole and green leather insole. Structure and decorations handstitched. Metallic decorations on silk (?) core threads covered with golden metal foil (on frontal decoration), golden metal wire for braid on edging, and silvery metal (possibly covered with golden varnish finish) for spangles. Marks and small holes left on the vamp velvet pile suggesting previous decoration might have been lost.