Pair of chopines

This type of backless shoe or slipper had various names. They were known as chopines, and in England they were sometimes called pantobles, or even mules. This pair is a more modest version of the impossibly tall chopines that were fashionable in Venice in the 16th century (see Museum nos. T.48 and T48a-1914). One of the pair is seen on the left of the image. They are made of cork covered with a fashionable 17th century silk damask. This was possibly added at a slightly later date. They have a long ribbon that ties round the wearer's calf and ankle. Elizabeth I had pairs of leather pantobles made for her that were open at the toes, like the examples you see here.