Still waiting for Cassandra to get in touch, so if I don't hear from her by the end of the weekend I think I will draw again.
These are buckles presented to Nelson in 1803. They have their own domed leather case. Clearly shoes, of the dress variety, were a highly thought of item.
Since Nelson died in 1805 and had been at sea for much of that time, my guess is these buckles never graced a pair of his shoes.
These are English shoes and gloves from 1840, so still not much in the way of heels Melinda. 
Shoe making, or cobbling, was a highly thought of trade in this time period, as can be seen from this mug. I must say I thought putting Victory and shoe-making in the same category a little pretentious, but who knows.
The next picture also shows that shoe-aholocism (umm not sure how to spell that) has been a problem for centuries. lol. These are snuff boxes from the 18th and nineteenth centuries, made in the shape of shoes. Aren't they sweet. If you find one in your travels, let me know. I would love to own one of these.
I was fascinated by this last picture, it is French. It shows a man making shoes and whistling to the little bird above his head. This is a political commentary. Apparently in France shoemakers were renowned for making up political rhymes. And of course some of them would have been part of the French Revolutionary movement and perhaps telling the bird the rhyme was not seditious, as telling the person standing in your shop. Look how ragged he is, despite his good business.
Hmm. I feel a story coming on.
Which makes me think it is a good time to stop. Next week we are back at the first of the month, so it will be time for some September fashions and later in the week, a look at nature and gardens.
In the meantime --Happy Rambles.
Love the snuffboxes shaped as shoes! One thing that doesn't come through on images of shoes is the weight. An author friend of mine has a pair of early 19th century ladies satin boots - beautifully crafted with very thin leather soles, but so very light!
ReplyDeleteMelinda
And flip flops with glitter is very glamorous - your Regency forebears would be proud of you, Michele
Melinda, you are so right about the weight. I can imagine that one night of dancing would see them quite worn through.
ReplyDeleteThere was an old fairy tale about that - have it somewhere.
It always surprises me that they wore half boots of jean, which is a fabric. Which is why they needed to wear pattens on wet days, since I imagine such a material (not denim) would hardly keep the feet dry.
However if you look at the boots and clogs worn by the lowly laborers and such, they are much more serviceable, but far less interesting.