Evening shoes
1775-1780
Silk taffeta, paste, and metal
Museum purchase
Object number2007.12.1
High-heeled shoes of silk brocade were excessive and impractical. Their extravagance was underscored by large silver buckles — popular among men and woman — although the “truly elegant” wore buckles of diamonds. Under Louis XVI, shoe buckles grew to exaggerated sizes and, according to Comte de Vaublanc, caused injury to the ankles.
DescriptionIvory silk taffeta shoes with floral embroidery and large metal buckles with circular designsCollections
Exhibitions