Lady's shoes
Category
Textiles
Date
1700 - 1799
Materials
Kid, Silk
Order this imageCollection
Ham House, Surrey
NT 1140249
Caption
During the 17th century, men often wore flat-soled mules over their boots or shoes to prevent the heels from sinking into the dirt of unpaved roads. These mules were called slap-soles because of the distinctive sound made when when the sole slapped against the heel of the shoe. Eventually, the slap-sole was adoped in women's footwear, not to protect the heels from mud or dirt, but as a fashionable adaptation. In this pair, the soles have been securely attached to both the ball and heel of the shoes, thereby eradicating the distinctive slapping sound.
Summary
A pair of lady's slap-soled shoes, white or cream-coloured leather, decorated in a striped pattern constructed of narrow tapes of brown silk, sewn onto the leather. Continuous sole of leather is fitted underneath the sole of each extending to beyond the heel. One shoe is slightly larger than the other, and the colour is different. Height of heels is approximately 7 cms.