Lady's Embroidered Shoe, Münster

Lady's shoe from the Friedenssaal in Münster, Germany. Dated early 17th century. Lady's shoe from the Friedenssaal in Münster, Germany. Dated early 17th century. Photograph Gillian Vogelsang, May 2015.

In the Friedenssaal of Münster's city hall (Rathaus) there is a single lady's shoe on display. It is believed to date from between AD 1620-1640. The shoe is made from leather and covered with (red) velvet. It has a small Louis style heel and a large vamp; especially the 'tongue' is very large.

The shoe is decorated with a central stylised vase or goblet, from which emerge stylised foliage and flowers. The design was worked in couching using cord, passing and plate forms of metal thread in a gold colour. Various suggestions have been made concerning the original owner of the shoe, including Anne de Bourbon, Duchess of Longueville (1616-1678), but nothing is certain.

Seen on 24th May 2015 by Gillian Vogelsang-Eastwood.

GVE

Last modified on Thursday, 21 September 2017 18:15
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