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18th Century Men’s Shoes

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18th Century Shoes

M. de Garsault's 1767 Art of the Shoemaker: An Annotated Translation

Last updated: Jan 5, 2024

  • Man’s mule shoes, leather sole and heel with brocaded silk uppers, Britain, c. 1710-1720
  • Augusta 13.2172.1092.513, gentleman’s shoes, early 18th century; “Black leather, square toes, red painted wood stack heels, brass buckles”
  • BSM P93.62 (also here), England, early 18th century; “This example dates to the early part of the century, just before men abandoned the high heel. The wide, square domed toe, flared heel covered in red leather, and extravagant brocade suggest that these were worn by a man of high status.”
  • Man’s official dress shoe, kid leather originally blue, Britain, c. 1740-50s
  • Augusta 13.2169.1089.514, gentleman’s shoes, mid 18th century; “Black leather, square toes, red leather under tongue and on heels”
  • PHM H4448-9 and PHM H4448-10, England, 1761; “This mens buckle shoe with detachable buckle was probably made in 1761 for the coronation of George III, in the style imitating the previous coronation of 1728. According to footwear specialist June Swann, aristocracy invited to these types of oocasion would wear the shoes only once which accounts for the poor workmanship … Mens single straight buckle shoe of rand construction with forward jutting prow toe and covered Cuban heel. Upper unlined and consists of a very high tongue with white vandyked edge, red pasted over. Quarters with dog leg side seams extend into rounded strap fastened by a metal buckle with silver braid rose stitched to one side. Insole is brown leather folded over to form a toe puff and the heel is of covered red leather.”
  • Augusta 13.2171.1091.512, gentleman’s shoes, c. 1780; “Black leather, rounded square toes, low wood stack heels, embossed steel buckles”
  • DHM J 116, shoes once owned by Immanuel Kant, end of the 18th century

Boots

  • PHM H4448-33, postillion boot with spur, made in France (?), 1765-1800; “Leg has been treated with pitch over a fire. Spur - crude wrought steel spur 165mm diameter with arms of rowel 52mm. Rowel simple sheet of iron, now broken. 17-early 18th c. style. Hook on other side now attached to 19th century brown leather strap on side of boot. NB both buckle and hook would have attached to the missing part of the original spur leather.”