The silk and leather shoe pictured above is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Dated ca. 1760s, it was created by shoe maker James Davis, whose label places him near Aldgate, London. (Center image) A similar shoe by the same maker will be featured in Strawbery Banke Museum "Passion for Fashion" exhibit in 2012. For further information on the maker's career and apprenticeship, see blog entry "Lady's London Shoe" (Thursday 10 June 2010)
In this later ca.1760s shoe, notice the change of heel proportion and shape of toe. Like the shoe in the Strawbery Banke Museum Collection (ca. 1730s-1740s) pictured at bottom of page) it is luxurious and lush, and the epitome of a high style shoe.
Strawbery Banke Museum staff thanks the Cordwainers College in London and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York with their generous assistance. We will continue our research on James Davis and his oeuvre, sharing our discoveries on these pages.
Kimberly Alexander, Ph.D.
Chief Curator
Strawbery Banke Museum
7/10
The Royal Ontario Museum has a Davis Wedding Shoe, ca. 1780s, giving us a wide career time span, as well as high style show design over about half a century. Image to follow shortly.
ReplyDeleteThanks to Bridget for her excellent research!
Silkbrocade
Silkbrocade again--I never tire of looking at these shoes. Design, materials, construction, palette-stunning!
ReplyDelete