A fine pair of embroidered leather lady's shoes, circa 1720-30, the white kid embroidered in imitation of brocade with large carnations and other blooms, edged in pale blue silk ribbon, straights, with narrow white rand, sharply pointed overhang toe-tip, low curved, heel, lined in linen, 26cm, 10 1/4in long (2) Provenance: Purchased at Christie's, October 18th 1983, lot 146. Exhibited: Shute school, Nr. Axminster, Loan Exhibition of Fine Old Needlework, Dresses etc. May 11th 1939 no.86, loaned by Mrs E.M Mortimer.

The embroidery is faded on both shoes- the silks are now pastel shades. Shoe A: Slight rubbing to embroidery and leather on heel and to very tip of toe, the sole and heel base show signs of regular use. Ribbon binding on upper edge of heel and latchet is worn. Vertical heel seam is unstitched by approx. 6mm. White areas of leather look more grey in tone. Outlining stitches of flower on the tongue are partially worn. Embroidery is worn on the petals of the upper above the heel. Neither of the shoe uppers were ever lined. Shoe B: Leather on toe tip is rubbed and reveals the linen below. There is a crack in the leather along one side of the large embroidered carnation on the upper. In the leaf motif at the side of the shoe - just above the rand there is a 4cm split which is partially concealed by the embroidery. There is a glue repair to re-stick the base of the sole to the heel and sole. The embroidery on the heel upper is rubbed as with its matching shoe. Embroidery to flower on tongue is worn. Wear to upper edges of the blue ribbon binding to heel, tongue and latchets.